Grafting onto chitosan. I. Graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate onto chitosan with Fenton's reagent (Fe2+−H2O2) as a redox initiator

Poly(methyl methacrylate) has been grafted onto chitosan by using Fenton's reagent as a redox initiator in an aqueous medium. Initiation by Fenton's reagent was carried out in the presence of atmospheric oxygen. The percentages of grafting, efficiency, and homopolymer were found to depend on chitosan (RchitOH), ferrous ammonium sulfate (FAS), hydrogen peroxide, monomer (MMA) concentrations, reaction temperature, and reaction time.