Some Recent Advances in Pure and Applied Aspects of Graft Copolymers

Abstract

Abstract In recent years more attention has been given to the preparation and characterization of graft copolymers and an examination of their properties than to developing novel methods of synthesis. In particular, these property studies can be used to develop applications of graft copolymers. The methods used to prepare and characterize better defined grafts are briefly reviewed. The structure of most graft copolymers is such that considerable amounts of one polymer can be grafted to another without affecting greatly the main properties of that polymer. In this way, the properties of one polymer such as higher water absorption can be imparted to another without changing the mechanical properties, for example, of the second polymer. Some other inherent properties of graft copolymers are discussed, including their compatibility with the parent homopolymers, their possible con-formational changes, and other features. Finally, the use of the special nature of graft copolymers for the modification of the bar...