Graft copolymerization of<i>N</i>‐vinyl‐pyrrolidone and acrylamide on cellulose derivatives: synthesis, characterization and study of their biological effect

Abstract

Abstract Graft copolymers of carboxymethyl cellulose and hydroxyethyl cellulose with N ‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone and acrylamide have been synthesized by grafting copolymer of N ‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone and acrylamide onto a mixture of carboxymethyl cellulose and hydroxyethyl cellulose by a solution polymerization technique using a redox initiation system. The graft copolymers were characterized by 13 C‐NMR spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. These graft copolymers have been tested for their biodegradability and biological activity. None of the graft copolymer solutions shows any microbial degradation up to 10 days. The reported results are evidence of the possibility of anti‐fungi effect. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.