Grafting onto Wool. XXVII. Graft Copolymerization of MixeD Vinyl Monomers by Use of Ceric Ammonium Nitrate as Redox Initiator

In order to ascertain the effect of a donor monomer, vinyl acetate (VAc), on the graft copolymerization of acceptor monomers, ethyl acrylate (EA) and butyl acrylate (BA), grafting of mixed vinyl monomers (EA + VAc) and (BA + VAc) was carried out on Himachali wool in aqueous medium using ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN) as a redox initiator. Graft copolymerization was carried out at different temperatures for various reaction periods. Percent grafting and percent efficiency were determined as functions of 1) concentration of mixed vinyl monomers, 2) concentration of CAN, 3) concentration of HNO₃ 4) temperature, and 5) reaction time. VAc, the donor monomer, was found to decrease percent grafting of EA and BA onto wool.