Cellulose graft copolymers chemical modifications

The morphology of the fibrous cellulose graft copolymers depended on the method of initiation of free radical formation, experimental conditions during the copolymerization, chemical modification of the cellulose before reaction, and the type of monomer used (60). Variations in the shape of the fibrous cross section, in layering effects in the fiber, and in the location and distribution of the grafted copolymer in the fiber were observed by electron microscopy (61). Cotton cellulose—poly (acrylonitrile) copolymer was selected to show the possible variations in location and distribution of the grafted copolymer in the fiber. 

An effective method of NVF chemical modification is graft copolymerization [34,35]. This reaction is initiated by free radicals of the cellulose molecule. The cellulose is treated with an aqueous solution with selected ions and is exposed to a high-energy radiation. Then, the cellulose molecule cracks and radicals are formed. Afterwards, the radical sites of the cellulose are treated with a suitable solution (compatible with the polymer matrix), for example vinyl monomer [35] acrylonitrile [34], methyl methacrylate [47], polystyrene [41]. The resulting copolymer possesses properties characteristic of both fibrous cellulose and grafted polymer. 

Photochemical and photophysical processes in cellulose and related compounds have received considerable attention during the last decades, resulting in research work concerned with the improvement of cellulosic materials via physical and chemical modifications. One method was to apply a copolymer between the cellulose and a synthetic polymer which are generally grafted by free radical reactions. 

A separate and promising trent in the chemical modification of cel-lul< e is the synthesis of graft copolym d cellulose with various vinyl and dmxs monomers. This is a big problem dind ndent interest our results in this line obtained in recent years have b n published in special revies articles (5). 

Starches are modified chemically in various ways. Some acetate and phosphate esters are produced commercially, as well as hydroxyalkyl and tertiary aminoalkyl ethers. Both unmodified and modified starches are used principally in paper making, paper coating, paper adhesives, textile sizes, and as food thickeners. There are many reports in the literature on graft copolymers of starch. The work is often conducted is search of biodegradable materials for packaging and agricultural mulches. Most chemical modifications of starch parallel those of cellulose. 

The chemical modification of homopolymers such as polyvinylchloride, polyethylene, poly(chloroalkylene sulfides), polysulfones,poly-chloromethylstyrene, polyisobutylene, polysodium acrylate, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl chloroformate, sulfonated polystyrene block and graft copolymers such as poly(styrene-block-ethylene-co-butylene-block-styrene), poly(1,4-polybutadiene-block ethylene oxide), star chlorine-telechelic polyisobutylene, poly(lsobutylene-co-2,3-dimethy1-1,3-butadiene), poly(styrene-co-N-butylmethacrylate) cellulose, dex-tran and inulin, is described. 

The grafting reactions initiated by free radicals discussed here have generally been identifiable, at least in part, by ESR spectroscopy. Other methods include chemical oxidation of cellulose by thermal decomposition of peroxides, ultrasonic radiation, electric-arc discharge (also called corona discharge), electrolysis, mechanical milling and oxidation of products of chemical reactions in the presence of vinyl monomers. Chemical modification of cellulose, e,g. by diazotization and thiocar-bonation, increases the rate of oxidation and of graft copolymer formation in the presence of vinyl monomers. ... 

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