Graft polymerization of methyl methacrylate onto silk fibers with Ce(VI)–sucrose redox system

Abstract

In recent years, the use of tetravalent cerium as an initiator of the graft polymerization of vinyl monomers on cellulosic and other textile materials has gained considerable importance because of its high grafting efficiency compared with the other known redox systems such as ferrous-hydrogen peroxide and thiosulphate-persulphate. There is a research program to investigate the vinyl graft polymerization onto various natural fibers using Ce(IV), permaganate, V(V), etc,. as catalyst and carbohydrates, i.e,. glucose, sucrose, etc., as cocatalyst with a view to achieving higher grafting efficiency. Use of sucrose, in particular, as the reducing component is of great industrial importance. This communication presents the results of studies of graft polymerization of methyl methacrylate onto silk fibers using Ce(IV)-sucrose redox system.