Fenton's reagent-initiated graft copolymerization of acrylonitrile onto sodium alginate

Graft copolymerization of acrylonitrile (AN) onto sodium alginate was studied in an aqueous medium using ferrous ammonium sulfate–hydrogen peroxide (Fenton's reagent) as the redox initiator. To optimize the reaction conditions for affording maximum percentage of grafting, the concentrations of sulfuric acid, initiator components, monomer, and also temperature and time were varied. The results are discussed and a reaction mechanism is proposed. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.