Graft copolymerization of Acrylamide onto Bombax Costatum Calyx by initiator ceric ammonium nitrate: Study of effective grafting parameters for optimization

Abstract

The Graft copolymerization of Acrylamide monomer (AAm) onto Bombax Costatum Calyx (BCC) using ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN) as initiator in aqueous medium to form grafted copolymer (BCC-g-PAAm) was investigated. The effect of different reaction conditions on the grafting has been studied by determining the grafting parameters, i.e. concentration of AAm, CAN, BCC, reaction time and temperature were carefully optimized to achieve the highest percent grafting yield (%G) and graft efficiency(%GE). Each of these parameters was varied one by one keeping other conditions constant in the reaction. The grafted and raw BCC were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to confirm the evidence of grafting. From the FTIR data it was ascertained that grafting has occurred considerably. Also from the results, it was observed that with increasing AAm, BCC, and CAN concentrations as well as reaction time and temperature the grafting parameters were increased, but further increase of reaction conditions disfavored these parameters. This was done to establish the optimum conditions of grafting. \ Key words:Bombax costatum calyx, ceric ammonium nitrate, grafted copolymer, polyacrylamide, percent grafting yield and graft efficiency.