| Abstract: | The graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) onto high α‐cellulose was carried out homogeneously in an N,N‐dimethyl acetamide/lithium chloride solvent system by using benzoyl peroxide as radical initiator. The rate of grafting was evaluated as a function of concentrations of initiator and monomer, reaction time, and temperature. The grafted products were characterized with the help of infrared spectroscopy, whereas the thermal decomposition of optimum PMMA‐grafted high α‐cellulose was studied using TGA, DTG, and DTA techniques at two heating rates, 10 and 20°C/min, in nitrogen atmosphere in the range of room temperature to 650°C. Three major decomposition steps were identified and the relative thermal stabilities of the PMMA‐grafted high α‐cellulose products were assessed. The kinetic parameters for the three decomposition steps were estimated with the help of two well‐known methods. The thermal stability of the grafted products decreased with the increase of graft yield (GY). Crystallinity or peak intensity of wide‐angle X‐ray diffraction patterns decreased with the increase of GY. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 92: 3471–3478, 2004 |
