Characterization of grafted jute fiber using acrylate monomers pretreated with alkali

Abstract

The reactivity of lingocellulosic jute fiber to sunlight (UV) and atmospheric gases and chemicals was reduced by grafting jute with acrylate monomers, such as ethyl acrylate (EA) and 2-hydroxy ethyl methacrylate (HEMA). The grafting reaction sufficiently blocked the reactive groups of jute and thus, physically- and chemically-bound cellulosic units and on the fiber surface. The grafting gave additional strength, higher thermal stability and improved surface smoothness. Though the modified fibers showed better color fastness properties in sunlight, the dyeability of the modified fibers somewhat decreased. Grafting reaction and other characteristics of modified fibers were investigated with FT-IR, tensile tester, thermogravimeric analyser, and grey scale respectively. The change of surface morphology of the jute fiber on modification was also observed with a scanning electron microscopy. Modification of bleached jute and alkali-activated bleached jute with HEMA gave higher graft yield (26.6, 29.4 %) than that of EA modification (22.5, 24.7 %). Due to the different chemical features, HEMA-modified fiber exhibited better chemical, thermal and physical properties.