Polymer structure formed in radiation‐induced graft polymerization

Abstract

Abstract Methacrylic acid (MAA) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) were grafted onto nylon 6, cellulose triacetate, cotton, viscose rayon, and polyester fibers, and the stereoregularities of the grafted polymers were determined. The graft polymerization was carried out with preirradiation techniques using γ‐rays from a Co 60 source. The grafted copolymers were then separated from the homopolymers by Soxhlet extraction. The grafted (branch) polymers were isolated from the trunk polymers by acid hydrolysis and their stereoregularity was determined with a 100 MHz NMR spectrometer. The stereo‐regularity of PMAA or PMMA grafted onto viscose rayon or cotton fiber was different from that of the polymers formed in ordinary radical polymerization.