Effect of graft copolymerization of 2‐hydroxyethyl methacrylate on the properties of polyester fibers and fabric

Abstract

Abstract Graft copolymerization of hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) onto poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) fibers using benzoyl peroxide (BP) as initiator was carried out in water and in water/organic solvent as a reaction medium. The effect of initiator concentration, reaction time, temperature, and reaction medium as well as addition of FeSO 4 to the polymerization medium was studied. Percent grafting was enhanced significantly by increasing BP concentration up to 0.016 mol/L and then decreased upon further increase in initiator concentration. Increasing the monomer (HEMA) concentration up to 0.48 mol/L improves significantly the graft yield. Raising the polymerization temperature up to 85°C causes a significant increase in grafting yield; further increase in temperature leads to decrease in graft yield. Incorporation of Fe +2 ions in the polymerization system decrease the graft yield. The same situation is encountered when water/solvent mixture is used as reaction medium. Solvent employed were methanol, toluene, and benzene.