Graft copolymerizations of modified cellulose: Grafting of methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate and ethyl methacrylate on carboxy methyl cellulose

Abstract

Graft copolymers of methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate and ethyl methacrylate on carboxy methyl cellulose (d.S 0.4-0.5) were obtained by the use of ceric ion in aqueous media at 35°C. The extent of graft polymer formation was measured in terms of graft level, molecular weight of the grafted polymer chains, and frequency of grafting. It was found that, although the reaction conditions were similar, the frequencies of grafting of the monomers were not of the same order of magnitude. It was suggested that graft polymer formation may not be due mainly to propagation by radicals formed on the backbone polymer by interaction with ceric ions.