ABSTRACT:The graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate upon gelatin was studied using benzoyl peroxide as an organic initiator in aqueous medium. The grafting reactions were carried out within the 65-90°C temperature range, and the effect of monomer and initiator concentrations on the graft yield were also investigated. The maximum graft yield was obtained at a benzoyl peroxide concentration of 0.20 ϫ 10 Ϫ2 mol/L and the optimum temperature was 80°C. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the thermal stability of gelatin increased as a result of grafting. Further, such changes in the properties of methyl methacrylate-grafted gelatin as density, moisture regain, and water uptake were also determined.

ABSTRACT:The graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate onto gelatin was studied using KMnO 4 -H 2 SO 4 redox system. The maximum graft yield of 64.5% was obtained at the potassium permanganate concentration of 2.00 ϫ 10 Ϫ3 mol/L and the optimum temperature of 50°C. Activation energy was calculated as 18.6 kcal/mol at the temperature interval of 40 -70°C. The results of the thermogravimetric analysis showed that the degradation temperature of gelatin increased as a result of grafting. Moreover, some changes in the properties of methyl methacrylate-grafted samples were also observed.

The graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate upon gelatin was studied using benzoyl peroxide as an organic initiator in aqueous medium. The grafting reactions were carried out within the 65–90°C temperature range, and the effect of monomer and initiator concentrations on the graft yield were also investigated. The maximum graft yield was obtained at a benzoyl peroxide concentration of 0.20 × 10−2 mol/L and the optimum temperature was 80°C. Thermogravimetric analysis showed that the thermal stability of gelatin increased as a result of grafting. Further, such changes in the properties of methyl methacrylate‐grafted gelatin as density, moisture regain, and water uptake were also determined. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 74: 1547–1556, 1999