Graft Copolymerization of Poly(ethyl Acrylate) onto Wool in the Presence of Ceric Ammonium Nitrate as Redox Initiator

Abstract

Abstract Poly(ethyl acrylate) has been grafted onto Himachali wool in an aqueous medium by using ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN) as redox initiator. Copolymerization was studied at five different temperatures: 40, 45, 50, 55, and 60°C. Maximum grafting occurred at 45°C. Nitric acid was found to catalyze the graft copolymerization reactions. Percentage and efficiency of grafting were found to be dependent upon concentrations of CAN (initiator) and of monomer. Percentage of grafting has been determined as function of time, and from the slope of percent grafting versus time plot, the initial rate of graft copolymerization (R) has been determined.