| Abstract: | Graft polymerization of methacrylic acid (MAA) to loomstate viscose fabric (greige fabric) using KMnO4/NaClO2 system was studied. Residual thiocarbonate and/or sizing materials on the fabric as well as presence of NaClO2 act in favor of primary radical formation which, in turn, accelerate formation of cellulose macroradicals capable of initiating grafting. The polymerization reaction was studied with respect to polymer yield, graft yield, homopolymer, total conversion, and graft efficiency. The magnitude of each of these characteristics was found to depend upon parameters such as concentrations of KMnO4, NaClO2, and MAA as well as liquor ratio, reaction time, and temperature of polymerization. By and large all these parameters enhance the polymerization process with the exception of the liquor ratio. A reaction mechanism for the polymerization reaction is also reported. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. |
