Graft polymerization of 2-methyl-5-vinyl pyridine on poly(ethylene terephthalate) fibres using H2O2 as initiator

Graft polymerization of 2-methyl-5-vinyl pyridine (MVP) on unstretched poly(ethylene terephthalate) fibers (PET) using H₂O₂ as initiator was investigated under different conditions. The extents and rates of grafting, homopolymer and total conversion depended upon concentration of the initiator and the monomer as well as on the polymerization temparature. The extent and rate of grafting decreased as the H₂O₂ concentration increased from 6.82x10^?2 to 27.29x10^?2 mol · 1^?1. The same holds for the extents and rates of homopolymerization and total conversion. Whereas the extents and rates of grafting and total conversion increased significantly by increasing the MVP concentration from 0.162 to 0.648 mol.1^?1. Raising the polymerization temperature from 65 to 95°C was also accompanied by a significant enhancement in the extents and rates of grafting and total conversion. Stretching the PET fibres prior to grafting reduced appreciably the susceptibility of the fibres towards grafting, being dependent on the magnitude of stretching.