UV-radiation-induced preirradiation graft copolymerization of methacrylic acid and acrylic acid onto jute fibre

UV-radiation-induced graft copolymerization of methacrylic acid and acrylic acid onto jute fibre was carried out using a preirradiation method with 1-hydroxycyclohexyl-phenylketone as a photoinitiator. 2-methyl-2-propene 1-sulfonic acid, sodium salt was incorporated into the grafting solution in suppressing the homopolymer/gel formation and facilitating graft copolymerization. In comparison, results showed that the type of monomer significantly influence on grafting. The results of the characterisation showed that the graft weight and the type of monomer have significant influence on the mechanical and water absorption properties in the case of grafted samples. (C) 2004 Society of Chemical Industry.