Graft polymerization of acrylic monomers onto starch fractions. I. Effect of reaction time on grafting methyl methacrylate onto amylose

A study was made of the ceric-ammonium-nitrate-initiated graft polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) onto a lineal fraction of starch (amylose). Grafting yields were determined by extraction with appropriate solvents: 1,2-dichloroethane for homo-PMM, and 0.5N NaOH for ungrafted amylose. Percent grafting was calculated by acid hydrolysis with 1N HCl. Molecular weights of PMMA side chains were determined by gel permeation-chromatography. Grafting efficiencies ranged from 72 to 83%, grafting, from 190 to 271%, and frequency of attachment of side chains, from 900–1250 glucose units per chain. The results observed are discussed.