Chemically induced graft copolymerization of itaconic acid onto cellulose fibers

Itaconic acid was grafted onto cellulose fibers using potassium persulfate as initiator. The effect of initiator concentration, monomer concentration and the reaction temperature on the grafting percentage has been investigated. The IR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, as well as the surface morphology of the grafted fibers were also studied. Moreover, the dyeing characteristics of the grafted fibers dyed with two basic dyes together with the color fastness of these dyes towards UV radiation was also investigated. The thermal stability of the, grafted fibers was also studied using a thermogravimetric technique. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.