Preparation of Poly(ethylene terephthalate)‐g‐Methacrylamide Copolymers Initiated by Azobisizobutyronitrile: Characterization and Investigation of Some Properties

Poly(ethylene terephthalate)‐g‐methacrylamide (PET‐g‐MAAm) copolymer was prepared by graft copolymerization in organic solvent/water mixtures by using azobisizobutyronitrile (AIBN) as an initiator. The highest graft yield was obtained in 20/80 (v/v) acetonitrile/water mixture as 30.0%. The effect of polymerization parameters such as the ratio of solvent/water mixture, concentrations of initiator and monomer, temperature and time on the graft yield was studied. The moisture regain of the PET fiber increased with grafting from 0.42% to 3.01%. Thermogravimetric data showed that the thermal stability of PET fibers decreased with grafting and 85% of total weight of 29.7% grafted fiber was lost at 500°C. On the other hand, fiber density decreased with increasing graft yield. At SEM micrographs, the layers oriented in the direction of fiber length were observed on the surface of PET fiber as a result of grafting.     

Polybutadiene-graft-polystyrene copolymer: Grafting quantification by liquid chromatography at critical conditions using single UV detection

We propose a fast, reliable chromatographic method to determine the grafting yield of a Polybutadiene-graft-Polystyrene (PB-g-PS) copolymer synthesized in our laboratory for High Impact Polystyrene applications. We used Liquid Chromatography at Critical Conditions of PS to separate non-grafted PS from graft product and ungrafted PB. Separation between grafted copolymer and non-grafted PS was very efficient and thanks to linearity of UV-detector response, we could quantify the amount of grafted PS in the copolymer, as well as calculate the grafting yield. Results shown here are for DOW BR1202D high-cis PB and BASF CB529T low-cis PB, Luperox TBIC M75 initiator at 8 × 10⁻⁴ mol L⁻¹ and 125 °C reaction temperature.     

Preparation of a blocked isocyanate compound and its grafting onto styrene-b-(ethylene-co-1-butene)-b-styrene triblock copolymer

The ε-caprolactam was used to block the isocyanate group to enhance the storage stability of allyl (3-isocyanate-4-tolyl) carbamate. The spectra of FTIR and NMR showed that blocked allyl (3-isocyanate-4-tolyl) carbamate (BTAI) possesses two chemical functions, an 1-olefin double bond and a blocked isocyanate group. The FTIR spectrum showed BTAI could regenerate isocyanate group at elevated temperature. DSC and TG/DTA indicated the minimal dissociation temperature was about 135 °C and the maximal dissociation rate appeared at 226 °C. Then the styrene-b-(ethylene-co-1-butene)-b-styrene triblock copolymer (SEBS) was functionalized by BTAI via melt free radical grafting. The effect of temperature, monomer and initiator concentrations on the grafting degree and grafting efficiency was evaluated. The highest grafting degree was obtained at 200 °C. The grafting degree and grafting efficiency increased with the enhanced concentration of BTAI or initiator. The weight-average molecular weight (M_w) increased greatly at higher initiator concentration and lower ratio of the monomer/initiator. And the molecule weight distribution (MWD) of the modified SEBS became wider than that of pure SEBS. It is obvious that shearing thinning behavior of grafted SEBS is more profound than pure SEBS.     

Characterization and Evaluation of Thermal,Morphological, and Physicochemical Properties of Chemically Modified Lignocellulosic Biomass

A novel redox system, ascorbic acid-hydrogen peroxide, was employed to initiate graft copolymerization of ethyl acrylate and methyl methacrylate binary monomer mixtures onto Abelmoschus esculentus fibers at a temperature of 45°C for 90 min in an aqueous medium. Factors affecting grafting such as feed molarity and comonomer composition were investigated. Contrary to the lower affinity of methyl methacrylate for grafting on Abelmoschus fibers, a synergistic effect of ethyl acrylate on methyl methacrylate was observed when graft copolymers were prepared using different feed compositions (f_MMA). The percentage of grafting increased from 40.2% to 89.74% at 0.4 mole fraction of f_MMA. The graft copolymers were characterized by FT-IR, TGA, and SEM techniques.     

Grafting Vinyl Monomers onto Tussah Silk Fiber. I. Graft Copolymerization of Methyl Methacrylate onto Nonmulberry Tussah Silk by Tetravalent Cerium Ion

The graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate onto nonmulberry natural tussah silk fibers was investigated in aqueous solution using tetravalent cerium as initiator. The rate of grafting was determined by varying the monomer concentration, the cerium (IV) concentration, the temperature, and the nature of the silk. With increasing monomer concentration the graft yield increased (up to 0.657 M) and thereafter decreased. The graft yield also increased with increasing cerium (IV) concentration. The graft-on was influenced by chemical modification of the tussah silk prior to grafting. The effect of certain inorganic salts on the rate of grafting was investigated.     

Graft Copolymerization of Methyl Methacrylate onto Poly(Ethylene Terephthalate) Fibers Using Benzoyl Peroxide

Abstract

The graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate onto poly(ethylene terephthalate) fibers has been studied using benzoyl peroxide as initiator. The grafting reactions were carried out within the 70 to 90°C temperature range, and the variations of graft yield with monomer and initiator concentrations were also investigated. The overall activation energy for grafting was calculated as 34.1 kcal/mol. The results of dyeability with the disperse dye suggested that diffusion into the fiber structure was moderately difficult when the graft yield reached 14?15%. The maximum graft yield was obtained at a benzoyl peroxide concentration of 4.00 × 10^?3 M. The decomposition temperature values obtained from thermogravimetric analysis show that the thermal stability of poly(ethylene terephthalate) fibers decreased as a result of grafting. Further, such change in the properties of methyl methacrylate grafted fibers as density, diameter, and moisture regain were also determined.     

Graft Copolymerization of 2‐Acrylamido‐2‐methyl Propane Sulfonic Acid on Dimethyl Sulfoxide Pretreated Poly(Ethylene Terephthalate) Films Using Cerium Ammonium Nitrate as Initiator

Abstract

In this study, graft polymerization of 2‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl propane sulfonic acid (AMPS) on poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) films using cerium ammonium nitrate (CeAN) as an initiator was investigated. Before the polymerization reaction was carried out, films were swelled in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) at 140°C for 1 h. The effect of polymerization temperature, time, initiator, and monomer concentrations on the graft yield were investigated. It was observed that the graft yield was initially increased with increasing temperature, monomer, and initiator concentrations; and then decreased. Graft yield was found to increase with increasing polymerization time up to 5 h, then remain constant. The effects of monomer and initiator inclusions on the grafting yield were also examined. Optimum conditions for grafting were found to be [AMPS] = 1.0 M, [Ce⁴⁺] = 1.5 × 10^?2 M, T = 85°C and t = 5 h. The rate of grafting was found to be proportional to the 0.1 and 0.4 powers of monomer and initiator concentrations, respectively. The overall activation energy for the grafting was calculated to be 11.4 kcal mol^?1. The effect of grafting on PET film properties such as intrinsic viscosity and water absorption capacity were determined. The grafted PET films were characterized with FTIR spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).     

Formation of micro-crystals in poly(ethylene terephthalate) fiber by a short heat treatment and their influence on the mechanical properties

The morphological change of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) fibers by a short heat treatment under free-to-relax condition (i.e., without mechanical constraints imposed on the fibers during the treatment) was investigated. Heat treatment on polymeric fibers, in particular free-to-relax condition, has been known to lower the initial elastic modulus due to the relaxation of the amorphous molecules; however a short heat treatment at 190 °C for 1.2 s in the present study increased the initial modulus, whereas the yield strength was decreased significantly. During the short heat treatment, the PET molecules in the PET fibers were relaxed and became crystallized to some extent. The PET chains in the amorphous regions were also relaxed, promoting the formation of micro-crystals. These micro-crystals in the amorphous region can explain the increase in the initial modulus. The mechanism for such unusual behavior was investigated using mechanical tests, thermal stress analysis, wide and small angle X-ray diffraction, and FTIR spectrum analysis. Furthermore, a morphological model for the molecular arrangements in the PET fibers due to the short heat treatment is proposed, offering the possibility of developing PET fibers with shape retention function that can behave similarly to metal fibers.     

Grafting of Acrylamide On 1, 1, 2, 2-Tetra-Chloroethane Preswelled Polyethylene Terephthalate) Films Using Azobisisobutyronitrile Initiator

Abstract

Graft polymerization of acrylamide (AAm) on 1, 1, 2, 2 tetrachloro-ethane (TCE) preswelled poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) films were performed with chemical initiation method using asobisiso-butyronitrile (AIBN) initiator. Temperature was found to have a greater effect on the swelling then the swelling time. Variation of the graft yield with polymerization temperature, time, AIBN concentration, AAm concentration, AIBN and AAm inclusion times were investigated. The optimum temperature for grafting was found to be 70°CC. The graft yield was observed to increase with polymerization time, AAm concentration, initiator and monomer diffusion time up to a saturation graft yield and then leveled off. An increase in AIBN concentration first enhanced the percent grafting then showed a decrease. The addition of some salts (Ni²⁺, Cr³⁺, Co²⁺, Cu²⁺) on the rate of grafting was also investigated. From the temperature dependence of the initial rate of grafting, the overall activation energy was found to be 4. 1 kcal/mol and relevant rate equation have been derived. The effect of grafting on film propities, such as water absorption capacity, intrinsic viscosity were determined. Grafted films were characterized by FTIR spectros-copy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM).     

Graft Copolymerization of Acrylamide on Swollen poly (Ethylene Terephthalate) Fibers Using Cerium Ammonium Nitrate Initiator

Abstract

In this study the graft copolymerization of acrylamide (AAm) on swollen poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) fibers using cerium ammonium nitrate (CeAN) initiator was investigated. Five organic solvents, dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO), morpholine, acetic acid (HAc), n-butanol, and 1,2-dichloroethane (DCE), were used as swelling agents. DMSO was found to be the most suitable swelling agent. Solvent diffusion into the fibers was observed to increase with treatment time and temperature. The optimum graft yield was obtained when fibers were grafted after having been swollen in DMSO for a period of 1 hour at 140°C. Variation of graft yield with polymerization time and temperature, and monomer, initiator, and acid concentrations were investigated. Graft yields were observed to increase initially with polymerization time, then to level off, and were found to increase up to a certain monomer and Ce⁴⁺ concentration, then to decrease slightly. The effect of grafting on such fiber properties as diameter, viscosity, and moisture gain were also investigated.     

Bacterial polyesters grafted with poly(ethylene glycol): Behaviour in aqueous media

An easy method for grafting of poly(3-hydroxyoctanoate-co-3-hydroxyundecenoate) (PHOU) was developed. Oxidation of the pendant double bonds of PHOU into carboxyl groups to yield poly(3-hydroxyoctanoate-co-3-hydroxy-9-carboxydecanoate) (PHOD) and the esterification of the carboxyl side groups with poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) were carried out in a single reaction solution. The grafting yield is dependent on the molar mass of the PEG graft. The maximum carboxyl group conversion (52%) was obtained with PEG M_n = 350 and decreased with increasing molar mass of PEG (19% for PEG M_n = 2000). Yields were determined by ¹H and ¹³C NMR. Short PEG grafts lowered the glass transition temperature (PHOD-g-PEG 350 −57 °C) compared to PHOD (−19 °C) and PHOU (−39 °C). This effect depends on the COOH conversion and PEG chain length. Grafting enhanced the hydrophilic character of the modified polymers making them soluble in polar solvents, such as alcohols and water/acetone mixtures. PHOD-g-PEG films were more stable towards hydrolytic degradation as PHOD films. No obvious modification of films was observed after more than 200 days at pH 7.2 and 37 °C. The molar mass of the grafted polymers decreased only slightly during this period, while PHOD films were hydrolyzed into soluble fragments.     

Modification of deproteinized natural rubber via grafting polymerization with maleic anhydride

Modification of natural rubber (NR) via grafting polymerization with maleic anhydride (MA) has received wide attention as it could improve the hydrophilicity of NR and extend its application to a wider application field. However, the grafting efficiency of MA onto NR in either the molten state or solution state is low and is accompanied with undesired high gel content in the grafts. In this work a novel technical route was developed in that a deproteinization operation was conducted before carrying out the grafting process and a differential microemulsion polymerization technique was applied for the grafting reaction. The effects of initiator and monomer concentration, reaction temperature, and reaction time on the grafting efficiency and gel fraction were investigated, and a comparison of the reaction performance was conducted for deproteinized NR (DPNR) and NR. The results indicated that the deproteinization operation could significantly improve the grafting efficiency and reduce the gel content, and a 29% yield of MA grafted onto the rubber backbone could be achieved at a condition of a DPNR:MA:initiator ratio of 85:9:6 (wt%) at 60 °C for 8 h.     

Graft copolymerization of 4-vinylpyridine onto cellulose using Co (III) acetylacetonate comlex in aqueous medium

The graft copolymerization of 4-vinylpyridine (4-VP) onto cellulose has been carried out in heterogeneous conditions with cobaltacetylacetonate complex (Co (acac)₃) under nitrogen atmosphere at 35±0.1°C in aqueous media. The grafting parameters such as graft yield, grafting efficiency, total conversion, frequency of grafting and rate of grafting have been evaluated as a function of concentration of 4-vinylpyridine, cobaltacetylacetonate and reaction temperature of graft copolymerization. Variation in concentration of monomer and initiator leads to a consistent increase in grafting parameters and then show a decreasing trend. The efficient grafting of monomer in presence of cobaltacetylacetonate complex is due to the coordination of the -electrons of the 4-vinylpyridine with the metal chelate which facilitate the homolytic decomposition of metal-oxygen bond to form radicals at relatively low temperature. The rate of graft copolymerization is directly proportional to the concentration of monomer and the square root of the concentration of the cobaltacetylacetonate complex. The activation energy (Ea) for graft copolymeriztion has been calculated using a Arrhenius plot and is 31.0kJ mol^–1 within the temperature range of 20–40°C. The grafting of 4-vinylpyridine has also been studied in presence of various additives and their effects have been suitably explained. On the basis of the experimental observations, reaction steps are proposed and rate expression has been derived.     

Kinetics of poly(ethylene terephthalate) glycolysis by diethylene glycol. Part II: Effect of temperature, catalyst and polymer morphology

The influence of various parameters on the kinetics of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) glycolysis by diethylene glycol (DEG), namely temperature (from 190 to 220 °C), temperature profile, catalysis and PET morphology has been studied.The results showed a strong influence of some experimental conditions (temperature and catalysis) on the mixture evolution during depolymerisation. The temperature study showed a critical temperature between 210 and 220 °C which seems to be the consequence of a better diffusion of DEG in PET, allowing easier reactions in solid phase. The initial morphology of PET scraps does not affect the rates of reactions much, in contrast to the temperature profile which has a great importance: time of PET dissolution at 220 °C is considerably shorter by heating PET and DEG separately at 220 °C before mixing, than by heating a cold mixture of the two reagents to 220 °C.     

Radiation-grafting of 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate and oligo (ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate onto polypropylene films by one step method

Polypropylene films were modified with 2-hydroxyethylmethacrylate (HEMA) and oligo (ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (OEGMA) using the pre-irradiation method with gamma-rays (one step method). The effect of absorbed dose from 10 to 100 kGy, temperature (50, 60, and 70 °C), monomer concentration between 12.5% and 62.5%, monomers ratio from 10% to 90% and reaction time from 5 to 50 h; on the degree of grafting was determined. The grafted samples were analyzed by FTIR-ATR, TGA, DSC, swelling, and contact angle. Grafts onto polymeric films between 3% and 109% were obtained at doses from 10 to 100 kGy and a dose rate around 7.4 kGy/h. The graft percent increased with the content in HEMA in the HEMA:OEGMA feed mixture, which indicates a lower reactivity of OEGMA compared to HEMA. The hydrogel layer grafted on the polypropylene substrate increases the hydrophilicity of the surface and also provides certain temperature-responsiveness, which may be of interest for biomedical applications.     

Grafting Vinyl Monomers onto Silk Fibers. V. Graft Copolymerization of Methyl Methacrylate onto Silk with Potassium Permanganate as Initiator

The graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate onto silk fibers in aqueous solution with the use of manganese (IV) ions as initiator was investigated. The rate of grafting was determined by varying monomer, acidity of the medium, temperature, nature of silk, and the reaction medium. The graft yield increases significantly with increase of manganese (IV) concentration up to 15 meq/liter; with further increase of manganese (IV) concentration, the graft yield decreases. The effect of the increase of monomer concentration brings about a significant enhancement in the graft yield up to 7%, and with further increase of monomer concentration the graft yield decreases. The graft yield is considerably influenced by chemical modification prior to grafting. The effect of some inorganic salts and anionic surfactants on the rate of grafting has been investigated.     

Solvent “Goodness” in Polymer Separation by Flow

The graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate onto silk fibers was investigated in aqueous solution using the V⁵⁺?thiourea redox system. The rate of grafting was determined by varying monomer, thiourea, acidity of the medium, temperature, initiator concentration, and reaction medium. The percentage of graft yield increases significantly by increasing the initiator concentration up to 0.01 M and thereafter decreases with a further increase of initiator concentration. The graft yield increases with an increase of thiourea concentration up to 10.0 × 10^?4 and then decreases with a further increase of thiourea concentration. The effect of increasing the monomer concentration brings about a significant enhancement in the graft yield. A suitable kinetic scheme has been proposed and the rate equation has been evaluated.     

Grafting Vinyl Monomers onto Silk Fibers. XIII. Graft Copolymerization of Methyl Methacrylate onto Silk Using Fe3+−Cysteine Redox System

The graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate onto silk fibers initiated by the ferric chloride-eysteine redox system has been investigated in aqueous medium. The rate of grafting was calculated by varying the concentrations of monomer, initiator, acidity of the medium, cysteine, and temperature. The percentage of grafting increases with an increase of Fe³⁺ concentration up to 2,5 × 10^?3 mol/L and thereafter it decreases. The graft yield increases steadily upon increasing the monomer concentration. The graft yield also increases with increasing cysteine concentration up to 0.5 × 10^?3 mol/L and then decreases. The effect of the perchloric acid concentration, temperature, solvents, and certain neutral salts on graft yield has also been investigated and a suitable reaction scheme has been proposed.     

Characterization and Studies on Grafting of Methyl Methacrylate onto PAN Fibers

The graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) onto commercial acrylic fibers (PAN) has been studied using Azobis(isobutyro)nitrile (AIBN) as an initiator. MMA grafting initiated by radicals formed from thermal decomposition of AIBN. In this study, the effects of monomer and initiator concentration, time and temperature reaction on the grafting yield have been investigated.

The optimum conditions for this grafting reaction were obtained with an MMA concentration of 0.7 M, an AIBN concentration of 0.0073 M, a reaction temperature of T=85°C and with a 60 min reaction time.

The fiber structure has been investigated by different experimental techniques of characterization such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR), calorimetric analysis (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), water absorption and the physical and mechanical properties has also been investigated in this study. The thermal analysis data showed that by increasing grafting yield, little changes have occurred in fibers samples up to 13.5% of grafting yield and the thermal transitions of grafted fibers have approximately the same behavior compared with the raw fibers sample. Grafting also slightly affected the fiber morphology. The experimental data of mechanical properties clearly show that by increasing grafting yield, max extension will decrease but this change up to 13.5% grafting yield is barely noticeable. Grafting of poly MMA improved water absorption.     

Ce(IV) ion initiated graft polymerization of glycidylmethacrylate onto a demineralized bone matrix: effect of reaction parameters

Studies on chemical modification of demineralized bone matrix (DBM) have opened new arenas in the field of clinical orthopedics owing to its potential osteoinductivity with desired chemical functionality. To widen its usage to biomolecular delivery, graft polymerization of glycidylmethacrylate onto DBM was carried out by a free-radical initiating process using ceric ammonium nitrate as an initiator. The evidence of the grafting reaction was examined by chemical analysis using Fourier transform IR spectroscopy. The grafting condition was standardized by regulating the reaction parameters such as the concentrations of the backbone, the monomer and the initiator, the polymerization temperature and time. The optimum polymerization temperature and time to have the maximum grafting yield were 40 °C and 3 h, respectively. The percentage of grafting and the percentage of grafting efficiency were determined as a function of the reaction parameters, and both were found to increasing initially and thereafter decrease in most of the cases. The grafting results are discussed in a detailed fashion and a reaction mechanism is proposed.