Abstract

Graft copolymers on secondary fibre cellulosic with methylmethacrylate and ethylmethacrylate were synthesized by the use of Fe(+2) ion-hydrogen peroxide redox system as initiator, in aqueous medium. The graft copolymers were characterized by elemental analysis, FT-IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis and scanning electron microscopy. The following parameters of the copolymerization reactions were studied: cellulose: acrylic ester reagents ratio, concentration Fe(+2)-H(2)O(2), temperature, pH and time of reaction. Their effects on the system are also discussed. The most grafting percents were reached in the best condition of reaction. They were 120% for methylmethacrylate and 140% for ethylmethacrylate. The obtained products are fibrous, colours, soft, with different portion of comonomer and a heterogeneous distribution of synthetic polymer over the fibre surface.