The use of hexavalent chromium to initiate graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate onto wool fibers has been investigated. The rate of grafting was determined by varying monomer, chromium(VI), temperature, acidity of the medium, nature of wool, reaction medium, and redox system. The graft yield increases with increasing monomer concentration up to 0.65M, and, with further increase of monomer the graft yield decreases. The graft yield increases with increasing chromium(VI) concentration. The grafting is considerably influenced by chemical modification of wool prior to grafting. The effect of certain inorganic salt and anionic surfactant on the rate of grafting has been investigated. The graft yield is influenced by thiourea concentration; it decreases with increasing thiourea concentration.

SynopsisThe graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate onto polyester fibers (PET) was investigated using tetravalent cerium as the initiator. The rate of grafting was found to increase progressively with the initiator and monomer concentrations up to 2.5 X 10-2M and 70.41 X 10-2M, respectively. The reaction was found to be catalysed by acid up to 15.0 X 10-2M. The graft yield increased by increasing temperature. The effect of addition of some solvents and thiourea on the rate of grafting was also investigated. A suitable kinetic scheme has been pictured, and rate equations have been derived.

SUMMARY:The graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylatc onto silk fibers was investigated in aqueous solution using quinquevalent vanadium as initiator. The rate of grafting was determined by varying monomer, acidity of the medium, temperature, nature of silk, and rcaction medium.

The use of a bromate‐thiourea redox system to initiate graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate onto silk has been investigated. The rate of grafting has been determined by varying the concentration of bromate ion, monomer, thiourea, the temperature and the solvent. The graft yield increases with increasing the bromate ion concentration up to 20 mmo1/1. With further increase of oxidant the graft yield decreases. The percentage of grafting increases with increase of hydrochloric acid up to 40 mmo1/1. Thereafter it decreases. The effect of increasing thiourea concentration up to 15 mmo1/1. is to bring about an increase in the graft yield. Above this concentration grafting decreases sharply. The rate of grafting increases with increase of temperature. The use of various water soluble solvents effects the percentage of grafting considerably. The alkali solubility of the grafted fiber has been investigated.

The use of tetravalent ceric ions to initiate graft‐copolymerization of methyl methacrylate onto silk has been investigated. The rate of grafting has been determined by varying monomer, cerium (IV), temperature, and nature of silk. The graft yield increases with increasing monomer concentration up to 0.65 mol/l and with further increase of monomer, the graft yield decreases. The percentage of grafting increases with increasing ceric ion concentration up to 0.03 mol/l and thereafter it decreases. The rate of reaction is temperature dependent, with increasing temperature, the graft yield increases. The grafting is considerably influenced by chemical modification prior to grafting. The effect of different species of ceric ion and CuSO4 on the rate of grafting has also been investigated.