Graft Copolymerization of Methyl Methacrylate onto Nylon 6 Using Thallium(III) Ions as Initiator

Abstract

Graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate onto nylon 6 was investigated in aqueous perchloric acid medium using thallium(III) ions as initiator. The rate of grafting was evaluated by varying the concentrations of monomer, initiator, acid, and temperature. The rate of grafting was found to increase with an increase of both monomer and initiator concentrations. The graft yield was found to increase with an increase in the acid concentration up to 0.49 mL^?1, and beyond this concentration of perchloric acid the graft yield was found to decrease. It also increased with an increase of temperature. From the Arrhenius plot the overall activation energy was found to be 3.9 kcal/mol. The effects of inhibitors, various solvents, inorganic salts, and swelling agents on graft yield were studied. A suitable kinetic scheme has been proposed and a rate equation has been derived.