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Chemically induced graft copolymerization of acrylonitrile onto lignocellulosic fibers
Author(s) -
Singha A. S.,
Rana Raj K.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
journal of applied polymer science
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.575
H-Index - 166
eISSN - 1097-4628
pISSN - 0021-8995
DOI - 10.1002/app.35221
Subject(s) - ceric ammonium nitrate , acrylonitrile , materials science , copolymer , thermogravimetric analysis , grafting , monomer , polymer chemistry , polymer , fourier transform infrared spectroscopy , chemical engineering , composite material , engineering
The grafting of vinyl monomers is an important method for replacing hydrophilic hydroxyl groups present on the surface of natural fibers by hydrophobic polymer chains. It improves the compatibility of natural fibers with polymer matrixes during the fabrication of natural‐fiber‐reinforced polymer composites. This article deals with the graft copolymerization of acrylonitrile onto Agave americana fibers in air in the presence of ceric ammonium nitrate as a redox initiator. A maximum percentage grafting of 24% was obtained after the optimization of various reaction parameters, including the reaction time, temperature, and concentrations of nitric acid, initiator, and monomer. The graft copolymers obtained under the optimum conditions were then subjected to the evaluation of different physicochemical properties, including swelling behavior in different solvents, moisture absorption behavior under different humidity levels, and chemical resistance. The graft copolymers were further characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, thermal analysis (thermogravimetric analysis/differential thermal analysis), and X‐ray diffraction techniques. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2012