Graft polymerization of cellulose

The methods for graft polymerization of cellulose can be generally classified into three major groups such as (i) free-radical polymerization, (ii) ionic and ring opening polymerization, and (iii) living radical polymerization. 

Ptobably the first graft copolymer was based on cellulose, Ushakov (33) who attached vinyl or allyl ethers to cellulose and used these sites to initiate the copolymerization with maleic acid esters. Another early paper was by Jahn (34). Graft polymerization of cellulose has been an active field, at least until recently, and well over a thousand papers and patents have been issued. 

The effects of diffusion control on the rate of radiation-initiated graft polymerization of cellulose have been studied theoretically. The effects of such variables as the initiator concentration, temperature, and monomer polymer ratio on the graft copolymerization of acrylamide and 0-methylcellulose have been investigated. The thermal properties and behaviour of graft copolymers of formaldehyde-cross-linked 0-cyanoethylcellulose and acrylates have been studied. Copolymerization of periodate-oxidized cellulose (aldehydocellulose) with glycidyl methacrylate in the presence of an enzyme e. peroxidase) afforded a means of immobilizing the enzyme without loss of activity. ... 

---