Abstract
Graft copolymerization of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) to cellulose was attempted via esterification of cellulose with benzoyl chloride and terephthaloyl dichloride. The esterification of cellulose was performed in 8wt% LiCl/DMAc under reflux in N2 at 100°C using pyridine as basic catalyst. Cellulose benzoate terephtalate (CBT), further transformed to chloride form using thionyl chloride, was reacted with ethylene glycol and terephthaloyl dichloride in THF under reflux in N2 at 50°C using pyridine as basic catalyst. Formation of CBT and PET-grafted cellulose (PET-C) was suggested from FTIR spectra. PET-C showed melting transitions between 150 to 190°C and formed mesophase, in spite of the possible remaining of free PET chains.
