| Abstract: | The graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate with water-emulsified solution onto preirradiated jute fiber was studied. The jute samples were irradiated in the presence of air using a 60Co source of gamma-radiation. A nonionic surfactant, commercially known as “Scintron (Triton X-114),” was used as an emulsifier. Homopolymerization was reduced by using 2-methyl-2-propene-1-sulfonic acid, sodium salt. The graft copolymerization was found to be dependent on the emulsifier concentration, radiation dose, temperature, monomer concentration, and reaction time. Maximum grafting level was achieved at temperatures in the range of 70–80°C, and the optimal reaction time for maximum grafting level was found to be between 3 and 5 h, depending on the radiation doses. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 65:459–468, 1997 |
