Manganese(IV)‐initiated graft polymerization of vinyl monomers on polyamide fibers

Abstract

Abstract The feasibility of potassium permanganate to induce graft polymerization of vinyl monomers onto nylon 6 was investigated. The graft yield is greatly enhanced by increasing the monomer concentration, reaction time, and temperature. The addition of metallic ions as promoters to the grafting medium accelerates the graft polymerization. A mechanism for grafting was proposed. The activation energy of initiation E i for methyl methacrylate was calculated and found to be 5 kcal/mole. The overall rate of graft polymerization R p depends on the monomer concentration.