Abstract
Graft polymerization of methacrylamide onto silk fibroin fibers was examined in a solution system under the catalysis with potassium persulfate by varying the concentration of monomer, initial pH, flow rate of nitrogen gas for bubbling, liquor ratio, reaction temperature and reaction time and the suitable conditions of the reaction during the production processes were determined by using the apparatus designed for the large scale production of the grafted fibers. The optimal condition was found to be the solution of circulating system containing 30kg of silk fibroin fibers, 38% (o. w. f.) monomer, 1.0% (o. w. f.) potassium persulfate in the liquor ratio of 13 and initial pH at about 3.8. Temperature program employed was three steps; (i) 15min. from room temperature to 60°C, (ii) 25min. from 60°C to 75°C, and (iii) 20min. from 75°C to 83°C. Under the above condition grafting silk fibers of about 33% polymer could be obtained.
