| Abstract: | The graft polymerization of acrylic acid (AA) onto corn starch well-swollen in aqueous isopropanol (IPA) was carried out by controlling reaction variables such as the concentrations of AA, initiator (a mixture of ammonium persulfate and sodium metabisulfite) and IPA as well as the temperature and time of reaction for the acquirement of products with good efficiency. Homopoly(acrylic acid) existing in the product mixture was removed by extraction with aqueous ethanol. In the temperature range of 30°C to 60°C the conversion gradually increased with increasing both reaction temperature and reaction time. The graft reaction showed a tendency to give high conversions even at reaction temperatures above 40°C. The reaction in aqueous IPA solution was more homogeneous and efficient than that in water. In addition, even though an equivalent quantity of initiator was used, the reaction conversion increased with increasing the concentration ratio of AA to corn starch. It was also found that the average distance between grafted sites decreased as the quantity of initiator and reaction temperature were increased. |
