Abstract
Graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate onto wool fibers in aqueous LiBr-K2S2O8 redox system was investigated. Homopolymer was not formed in this system. Effects of concentrations of butylcarbitol (BC) and K2S2O8 on the rate of grafting, the average molecular weight of graft polymer and the concentration of monomer in wool fibers, [M]fib was studied. [M]fib increases with increasing extent of grafting while the effective concentration of monomer [M]eff decreases with increasing extent of grafting. The main location of polymer deposition was found to be controlled by reaction conditions.
(1) In the case of low concentration of BC and high concentration of K2S2O8, the rates of grafting and formation of grafting sites are low, and the polymer is deposited unevenly in the radial direction of the fiber section.
(2) In the case of low concentrations of BC and K2S2O8, the rate of grafting is high while the rate of formation of grafting sites is low, and the polymer is deposited mainly in orthocortex.
(3) In the case of high concentration of BC and low concentration of K2S2O8, the rates of grafting and formation of grafting sites are high, and relatively homogeneous distribution of the polymer was observed across the fiber section.
