Graft polymerization of acrylic monomers onto starch fractions. I. Effect of reaction time on grafting methyl methacrylate onto amylose

Abstract

Abstract A study was made of the ceric‐ammonium‐nitrate‐initiated graft polymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) onto a lineal fraction of starch (amylose). Grafting yields were determined by extraction with appropriate solvents: 1,2‐dichloroethane for homo‐PMM, and 0.5 N NaOH for ungrafted amylose. Percent grafting was calculated by acid hydrolysis with 1 N HCl. Molecular weights of PMMA side chains were determined by gel permeation‐chromatography. Grafting efficiencies ranged from 72 to 83%, grafting, from 190 to 271%, and frequency of attachment of side chains, from 900–1250 glucose units per chain. The results observed are discussed.