Modification and Characterization of Leucaena glauca Seed Gum by Graft Copolymerization with Acrylonitrile

Abstract
The suitable conditions for graft copolymerization of acrylonitrile on to Leucaena glauca seed gum in aqueous system were investigated using hydrogen peroxide as initiator. For the purpose, a series of reactions have been carried out at different reaction conditions which cover the range of hydrogen peroxide concentration (5–20 mmole/l), acrylonitrile concentration (0.05–0.25 mole/l), backbone concentration (0.00617–0.03086 mole AGU) and polymerization time (30–180 min). The grafting temperature was kept at 85°C for all reactions. The products have been characterized by various methods including viscometry, spectrophotometry and thermometry.