Preparation of Poly(ethylene terephthalate)-g-Methacrylamide Copolymers Initiated by Azobisizobutyronitrile: Characterization and Investigation of Some Properties

• Published in: Journal of macromolecular science. Part A, Pure and applied chemistry Pure and applied chemistry, 2008-02, Vol.45 (4), p.276-280
• Main Authors: ALAKARA, Serife, KARAKISLA, Meral, SACAK, Mehmet
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; azobisizobutyronitrile; Exact sciences and technology; Fibers and threads; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; graft copolymer; methacrylamide; poly(ethylene terephthalate); Polymer industry, paints, wood; Technology of polymers
• ISSN: 1060-1325; 1520-5738
• DOI: 10.1080/10601320701863700

Poly(ethylene terephthalate)-g-methacrylamide (PET-g-MAAm) copolymer was prepared by graft copolymerization in organic solvent/water mixtures by using azobisizobutyronitrile (AIBN) as an initiator. The highest graft yield was obtained in 20/80 (v/v) acetonitrile/water mixture as 30.0%. The effect of polymerization parameters such as the ratio of solvent/water mixture, concentrations of initiator and monomer, temperature and time on the graft yield was studied. The moisture regain of the PET fiber increased with grafting from 0.42% to 3.01%. Thermogravimetric data showed that the thermal stability of PET fibers decreased with grafting and 85% of total weight of 29.7% grafted fiber was lost at 500°C. On the other hand, fiber density decreased with increasing graft yield. At SEM micrographs, the layers oriented in the direction of fiber length were observed on the surface of PET fiber as a result of grafting.