Effect of crystallinity on radiation-induced graft copolymerization on cellulose

With vinyl monomers, viz., styrene, butyl methacrylate, dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate, and ethyl acrylate, it was noted that higher per cent grafting was obtained with “recrystallized” cellulose than with “amorphous” cellulose. The possibility of the production of a porous structure in cellulose as a result of γ-irradiation followed by the dissolution of the reactive regions is suggested. DTA and DTG data of irradiated cellulose triacetate (CTA) reveal lowering of the melting point on irradiation, indicating a decrease in crystallinity. Decrease in density of cellulose on irradiation by γ-rays also indicates loosening of the structure of cellulose. It is postulated that grafting occurs in those regions of cellulose which were crystalline before irradiation, as well as in less crystallinie regions.     

Modification of isotactic polypropylene film by radiation-induced graft copolymerization

In the present communication we report on the radiation induced grafting of methyl methacrylate (MMA) onto irradiated isotactic polypropylene film (IPP) by Peroxidation method to prepared grafted membrane (IPP-g-MMA). The radioactive isotope ⁶⁰Co was used as the source of gamma radiation. A plausible mechanism of grafting has been proposed. Optimum conditions pertaining to maximum percentage of grafting were evaluated as a function of different reaction parameters such as radiation dose, inhibitor concentration, monomer concentration, reaction time and reaction temperature respectively. Maximum percentage of grafting (85%) was obtained at [radiation dose] = 25 kGy, [inhibitor concentration] = 0.04 wt%, [MMA] = 6 wt%, [Reaction Temperature] = 60 °C in a [Reaction time] of 120 min. The evidence of grafted membrane was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Atomic force microscopy method, Scanning electron microscopy which indicates that MMA has been grafted onto IPP. Hydrolysis of the grafted membranes in 1 N NaOH transformed ester groups of the grafted membranes to carboxylic acid and hydroxyl groups to form hydrolyzed grafted membranes. Hydrolyzed grafted membranes were investigated for their swelling behavior. Swelling properties of the hydrolyzed grafted membranes were performed in different solvents such as water, N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) and dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO). Maximum percentage swelling value of IPP-g-MMA was observed in pure DMSO, followed by DMF and water.     

Kinetics of radiation-induced graft copolymerization of styrene with ethyl acrylate

The radiation-induced graft copolymerization of styrene with ethyl acrylate onto preirradiated polyethylene powder was carried out at 20°C. The grafting yield decreased in the following order: ethyl acrylate ? styrene > styrene–ethyl acrylate mixture. On the other hand, the amount of absorption of liquid monomers in polyethylene powder decreased as follows: styrene > styrene–ethyl acrylate mixture > ethyl acrylate. By kinetic analysis of the grafting yield and amount of absorption of monomers it was elucidated that the value K_p/K_t in an ethyl acrylate system (7.7 × 10^?2) was much larger than those in styrene–ethyl acrylate systems and in a styrene system (ca. 1.0 × 10^?2).     

Cation-exchange membranes by radiation-induced graft copolymerization of monomers onto HDPE

Studies were made on preparation of the cation-exchange membranes obtained by pre-irradiation grafting of acrylic acid (AA) and sodium styrene sulfonate (SSS) onto high-density polyethylene (HDPE), and its properties such as swelling behavior and electric resistance were measured as a function of ion-exchange capacity (IEC). Thermal and chemical stability was also investigated. These properties were found to be mainly dependent on IEC. The grafted membranes possessed good electrochemical, thermal and chemical properties, and were found to be acceptable for practical use as cation-exchange membranes.     

Lignin‐based polymers via graft copolymerization

Lignin is an important source of synthetic materials because of its abundance in nature, low cost, stable supply, and no competition to the human food supply. Lignin, a cross‐linked phenolic polymer, contains a large number of aromatic groups that can be used as a substitute for petroleum‐based aromatic fine chemicals. However, modification of lignin is necessary for its application in advanced materials due to its chemically inert nature and structural complexity. Polymeric modification of lignin via graft copolymerization represents an important avenue for modification because this method forms stable covalent bond linkages between lignin and synthetic functional polymers. In this review, we discuss recent synthetic strategies toward polymeric modification of lignin using graft copolymerization and the special properties and applications of the produced lignin copolymers. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2017 , 55, 3515–3528     

Anionic graft copolymerization of diene polymers with vinyl monomers

A mixture of homopolymer and graft copolymer was obtained by adding the monomer at 0°C to the polylithiodiene solution. Styrene, methyl methacrylate, and acrylonitrile were used as the monomers. Polylithiodienes were prepared by the metalation of diene polymers, i.e., polybutadiene or polyisoprene, with the use of n-butyllithium in the presence of a tertiary amine (N,N,N′,N′-tetramethylethylenediamine) in n-heptane. The graft copolymers were separated by solvent extraction and were confirmed by turbidimetric titration and elementary analysis. Oxidation of the polybutadiene–styrene grafts revealed that the molecular weight of the side chains was the same as the molecular weight of the free polystyrene formed. The grafting efficiency and grafting percentage were studied for polybutadiene–styrene graft copolymers prepared under various conditions.     

Swelling characteristics of konjac glucomannan superabsobent synthesized by radiation-induced graft copolymerization

Graft copolymerization of konjac glucomannan (KGM) and acrylic acid was induced by ⁶⁰Co-γ irradiation at room temperature. The effects of radiation dose and monomer-to-KGM ratio on grafting yield and equilibrium water absorbency were investigated. The KGM-based superabsorbent polymer (KSAP) could absorb water 625 times of its dry weight when the radiation dose was 5.0 kGy and monomer-to-KGM ratio was 5. The structure of KSAP was characterized by FTIR, XRD, and SEM. KSAP showed a lower crystallinity than KGM. The porous microstructure of KSAP was revealed by SEM. The diffusion mechanism of water in the hydrogel is consistent with the anomalous diffusion model. Cations, especially multivalent cations, greatly reduced water absorbency of KSAP. Rising temperature, acidic or basic solutions are not favorable for the swelling of KSAP.     

A short review of radiation-induced raft-mediated graft copolymerization: A powerful combination for modifying the surface properties of polymers in a controlled manner

Surface grafting of polymeric materials is attracting increasing attention as it enables the preparation of new materials from known and commercially available polymers having desirable bulk properties such as thermal stability, elasticity, permeability, etc., in conjunction with advantageous newly tailored surface properties such as biocompatibility, biomimicry, adhesion, etc. Ionizing radiation, particularly γ radiation is one of the most powerful tools for preparing graft copolymers as it generates radicals on most substrates. With the advent of living free-radical polymerization techniques, application of γ radiation has been extended to a new era of grafting; grafting in a controlled manner to achieve surfaces with tailored and well-defined properties. This report presents the current use of γ radiation in living free-radical polymerization and highlights the use of both techniques together as a combination to present an advance in the ability to prepare surfaces with desired, tunable and well-defined properties.     

Grafting onto polypropylene. I. Effect of solvents in gamma radiation-induced graft copolymerization of poly(acrylonitrile)

Graft copolymerization of acrylonitrile (AN) onto isotactic polypropylene (PP) fiber has been studied by using gamma rays from a 2100 Ci ⁶⁰Co source as initiator by preirradiation technique. The preirradiated PP was treated with AN and the mixture was graft copolymerized by heating to 100°C for different time periods. The percentage of grafting is determined as a function of total dose, reaction time, and monomer concentration. The effect of different solvents such as H₂O, CH₃OH, and dioxane upon percentage of grafting has been studied. The maximum effect was observed in water and the minimum in CH₃OH. PP—g—PAN was characterized by IR spectroscopic and thermogravimetric methods. A plausible mechanism of gamma radiation induced grafting of AN onto PP in the absence and in the presence of solvents has been proposed. An attempt has been made to compare the relative abilities of different solvents to influence grafting.     

Effect of dose on radiation-induced conductivity in polymers

Numerical simulation of radiation-induced conductivity in polymers upon long-term irradiation on the basis of the generalized Rose-Fowler-Vaisberg model, which allows for both dipolar carrier transport and generation of radiation traps during irradiation, was performed. The unusual properties of radiation-induced conductivity, such as the appearance of a maximum on current transients, the absence of a steady state, and a substantial difference between these curves for the first and subsequent irradiation, are rationalized in terms of the formation of free radicals, the major feature of radiolysis in the chemical aspect. This interpretation does not require the involvement of degradation or crosslinking processes, unlike other interpretations that appear in the literature. With the use of low-density polyethylene as an example, it was shown that radiation-induced conductivity both upon pulse and continuous irradiation can satisfactorily be described with the unified set of parameters of the generalized Rose-Fowler-Vaisberg model.     

EPR investigation on radiation-induced graft copolymerization of styrene onto polyethylene: Energy transfer effects

In this paper, energy transfer phenomena concerning the in-source graft copolymerization of styrene onto LDPE were investigated through the EPR analysis of the radical intermediates. The model solution experiments have shown a substantial deviation of the experimental G (radicals) values with respect to the additivity law, which reflect the negative effect of the styrene monomer concentration on the initiation rate of the graft copolymerization.The EPR measurements performed on polyethylene-co-styrene graft copolymers of various composition following low-temperature vacuum gamma irradiation have confirmed the decrease of the total radical yields with increasing the styrene concentration. The effect was partly attributed to the heterogeneity of the graft copolymer matrix and to the lack of molecular mobility in the solid state at low temperature, which prevents the attainment of the favourable geometrical configurations in intermolecular energy and charge transfer events.     

Effect of sovents on radiation-induced ionic graft polymerization

The influence of various solvents on radiation-induced cationic (grafting of vinyl-n-butyl ether onto polyethylene) and anionic (grafting of 2-methyl-5-vinylpyridine onto polyethylene) graft polymerization was studied. This ionic grafting was performed in thoroughly dried systems at room temperature. It was established that electron-acceptor solvents promote cationic grafting but that electron-donor solvents promote the anionic. A clear correlation between the donor number of solvents and grafting value by the anionic mechanism was shown. There was no correlation between dielectric constants and grafting values. The reaction orders, according to monomer concentration by 2-methyl-5-vinylpyridine grafting in various solvents, were equal to approximately 1.5 and 2 for the radical and anionic mechanisms, respectively. The effect of solvents on radiation-induced ionic graft polymerization is discussed. The results of this study indicate the correct choice of solvents for radiation-induced ionic grafting.     

Electroinitiated graft copolymerization

A technique has been developed for initiating a graft copolymerization electrochemically. A copoly(styrene/vinylbenzophenone) linear copolymer was prepared to serve as the electroactive starting material. The benzophenone sites on this molecule are readily activated at the cathode. Macroradical ions result from the direct transfer of electrons to benzophenone groups of the electroactive backbone polymer. In solution in N,N-dimethylformamide with tetraethylammonium perchlorate (TEAP) as supporting electrolyte the passage of current produced a dark blue solution similar to that observed with radical anions obtained with benzophenone directly. When monomer such as acrylonitrile or methyl methacrylate was added, a graft copolymer was formed. Electrolysis of solutions of the backbone polymer in tetrahydrofurn (THF), with sodium tetraphenylboride as supporting electrolyte, produced relatively stable, persistent macroradical anions and, under appropriate conditions, the reddish-violet macrodianions. Both types initiated graft copolymerization of acrylonitrile and methyl methacrylate. Graft copolymers were characterized by gel permeation chromatography (GPC), infrared (IR), and solvent extraction. High grafting efficiency (i. e., free from homopolymer) can be obtained under appropriate conditions. Suitable mechanisms are proposed, compared, and discussed.     

Monomer reactivity ratios in graft copolymerization

This paper discusses monomer reactivity ratios in various radiation- and redox-initiated graft copolymerizations. The polymers studied were polyethylene, cellulose acetate, poly(vinyl chloride), polytetrafluoroethylene, poly(vinyl alcohol), and poly(methyl methacrylate); the comonomer mixtures were styrene–acrylonitrile, methyl acrylate–styrene, acrylonitrile–methyl acrylate, and vinyl acetate–acrylonitrile. The polymer–comonomer mixture systems were so chosen as to permit study of both homogeneous and heterogeneous systems. The homogeneous systems included systems of low and high viscosity. The heterogeneous systems included both polymers swollen by the comonomer mixture and polymers not swollen by the comonomer mixture. None of the homogeneous grafting systems studied showed deviations from the normal copolymerization behavior under a variety of experimental conditions. Monomer reactivity ratios in graft copolymerization were the same as the values in nongraft copolymerization. The heterogeneous systems in which the polymer was swollen by the comonomer mixture yielded grafted copolymer compositions which were the same as those in nongraft copolymerization. The heterogeneous grafting system polytetrafluoroethylene/styrene–acrylonitrile showed deviations from normal copolymerization behavior at low degrees of grafting when the reaction was only on the polymer surface. The behavior became normal at higher degrees of grafting when the system approaches that in which the polymer is swollen by the comonomers. In all reaction systems, it was found that the use of radiation to initiate the reaction does not in any way affect the copolymerization behavior of the two monomers in a comonomer pair.     

Low-temperature radiation-induced copolymerization of N-vinylpyrrolidone with divinyl sulfone

The low-temperature copolymerization of N-vinylpyrrolidone with divinyl sulfone was studied in vitrifying dimethylformamide solutions. It was shown that the copolymerization proceeds efficiently in a viscous supercooled liquid after devitrification of the system. The mechanism and conditions are determined for the formation of random and alternating copolymers.     

Studies on graft copolymerization onto cellulose derivatives. XXVII. Photo-induced graft copolymerization onto nitrocellulose

Photo-induced graft copolymerization was investigated using nitrocellulose having a different nitrogen content, especially by a noncatalytic method. The effects of a sample nitrogen content, reaction temperature, and monomer, sample, solvent and photosensitizer concentrations on the degree of grafting, the grafting efficiency, and the apparent number of grafted chains were examined. Methyl methacrylate (MMA) and methyl acrylate (MA) easily polymerized, but acrylamide (AAm), vinyl acetate (VAc), and styrene (St) scarcely polymerized. The apparent activation energies were 4.1–11.5 kcal/mol, indicating the small value in the high nitrogen content sample. The degree of grafting and the apparent number of grafted chains increased with increasing monomer and sample concentrations. In every case, the grafting efficiency was at a high level, above 90%. The polymerization did not occur without the sample in the same condition. Furthermore, a part of nitro groups split off by the irradiation of light. With respect to these results, the mechanisms of the photo graft copolymerization was discussed.     

Chemically initiated graft copolymerization of acrylic acid onto acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS) terpolymer and its constituent polymers

The graft copolymerization of acrylic acid onto acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene terpolymer (ABS), has been initiated by the use of both benzoyl peroxide and azobisisobutyronitrile. Addition occurs in the butadiene region of the polymer, either by the loss of a vinylic hydrogen and subsequent radical formation and addition of monomer or by addition to the double bond. The amount of acrylic acid which may be added is dependent upon the time and temperature of the reaction and the concentration of monomer and initiator. Thermal analysis of the grafted samples show that the residue is less than that expected based upon the composition of the copolymer; similar results have been previously obtained for acrylic acid grafted by another technique. © 1996 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Effect of graft copolymer on demixing of immiscible polymers in solution

The effect of graft copolymer on the demixing of solutions of two immiscible homopolymers and critical conditions for emulsion formation were studied. The graft copolymer used in the present work consists of one backbone poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) and one branch polystyrene (PS). PVAc and PS of various degrees of polymerization were used as immiscible homopolymers. The common solvent was benzene. When the concentration of homopolymer blend was not sufficiently higher than the critical concentration for demixing of the blend solution, no stable emulsion was formed, even when a considerable amount of graft copolymer was present, and the added graft copolymer merely reduced the demixing rate. However, as the blend concentration was increased, a stable emulsion could readily be obtained by addition of rather small amounts of graft copolymer. The radius of emulsion droplets was inversely proportional to the weight ratio of the graft copolymer to the dispersed component polymer, in accordance with the theoretical prediction. It was concluded that the emulsions were stabilized against coagulation by graft copolymer molecules fixed strongly as a monolayer on the interface of the emulsion.