Graft copolymerization onto wool fibers: Grafting of acrylamide onto wool fibers initiated by potassium monopersulphate/Fe (II) redox system

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Abstract
Graft copolymerization of acrylamide (AM) onto wool fibers has been studied in aqueous solution with a new redox initiating system, KHSO5/Fe(II). For estimation of comparative influence of salts and selection of reaction medium, grafting has also been studied in the presence of a multitude of inorganic salts and some organic solvents. It was observed that the graft percentage was influenced by the reaction time, temperature, concentration of monomer initiator, FeSO4, and the base polymer. A maximum graft percentage of 120.5% was obtained at 35°C with the concentration of AM (0.8M), KHSO5 (0.0195M) and Fe (II) (2.5 X 10‐3 M) for reaction time of 2 h. From the experimental results, a suitable reaction mechanism for graft initiation and termination has been suggested. The water retention of the grafts and their behavior towards mineral acids and alkalis have been tested. The tensile strength and the thermal stability of the grafts have also been determined and compared with the base.