Graft copolymerization of methylmethacrylate onto high α-cellulose pulp extracted from Hibiscus sabdariffa and Gmelina arborea

Grafting was carried out using a synthetic vinyl monomer, methyl methacrylate (MMA), on α-cellulose extracted from Hibiscus sabdariffa and Gmelina arborea, by generating free radicals on the cellulose substrates with a ceric ion redox initiator under different reaction conditions of time, temperature and concentration of the monomer and initiator. The grafted cellulosic products obtained at optimum conditions were characterized by infra-red spectra, scanning electron micrographs and thermogravimetric and differential thermogravimetric techniques. The grafted celluloses were also evaluated for water absorbency and ion-exchange capacity.