| Abstract: | The graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) onto viscose fibers were studied under photoactive conditions with visible light using titanium(III) chloride—potassium persulfate as redox initiator in a limited aqueous system. Polymerization carried out in the dark at 40 ± 1°C produced little graft copolymer whereas that in the presence of light at 40 ± 1°C produced significant grafting. Percent grafting, percent total conversion, and grafting efficiency (%) were studied by varying time, initiator concentration, monomer concentration, solvent composition, and pH of the medium. High percent grafting (～ 200%), high grafting efficiency (～ 98%), and percent total conversion (～ 47%) were obtained with little homopolymer formation. A suitable mechanism for grafting has been discussed and also the characterization of the grafted fibers were studied by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermogravimetry and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). © 1992 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. |
