Grafting of styrene onto carbon fiber having perester groups

Abstract

The oxidized carbon fiber having t-butyl perester groups was prepared by the esterification of acid chloride groups on the carbon fiber with t-butyl hydroperoxide. Then, graft polymerization of styrene onto the carbon fiber having t-butyl perester group was carried out. The concentration of monomer affected grafting efficiency. The grafting efficiency increases with the polymerization time and reachs a constant value above 70°C. Addition of Fe2+ and Cu2+ to the polymerization system at a concentration of 0.5–1.0×10-5 mol/l gave the maximum grafting efficiency.