Effect of metallic ions in photo-induced graft copolymerization onto cellulose

In photo-induced graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate onto cellulose, the effect of metallic ions as sensitizer was investigated. Some metallic ions were effective in their adsorbed states and accelerated the formation of grafts in the order Fe²⁺ > Ag⁺ > Fe³⁺. However, Cu²⁺ acted negatively, and little effect was observed for Co²⁺, Ni²⁺, Mn²⁺, Zn²⁺, and Cr³⁺. In the systems in which aqueous metallic salt solutions were added, the formation of grafts was generally depressed, but Fe³⁺ was an exception. The effect of metallic ions on the scission reaction of cellulose main chains did not necessarily agree with the effect on the formation of grafts. This is attributed to the varied interaction between cellulose and the different active species produced by irradiation, depending on the type of metallic ions used.