Evaluation of optimum grafting parameters and the effect of ceric ion initiated grafting of methyl methacrylate on to jute fibre on the kinetics of thermal degradation and swelling behaviour

To effect useful changes in jute fibre, we graft copolymerized with methyl methacrylate (MMA) initiated by eerie ions and studied optimization of grafting parameters as a function of various reaction conditions. Jute and its graft copolymer thermally degrade in one and two stages, respectively, but follow the same degradation mechanism, The degradation mechanism and thermal kinetics were evaluated by applying seven kinetic degradation models. Both fibres decompose following the R-2 (PBR-cylindrical symmetry) kinetic equation. Initially, the thermal stability of the graft copolymer is better, as evident from higher energy of activation (E-act) and higher initial decomposition temperature (IDT). Swelling (P-s) of graft copolymers increases as a function of grafting and at a particular graft level follows the order: DMF > H(2)0 > iso-propanol. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.