Graft copolymerization of acrylamide onto xanthan gum

The graft copolymerization of acrylamide onto xanthan gum initiated by the Fe2+/BrO3redox system in aqueous medium was studied gravimetrically under a nitrogen atmosphere. The effect of Fe2+, BrO3-, H+, acrylamide and xanthan gum on graft copolymerization was studied by determining the grafting parameters, i.e. grafting ratio, efficiency, conversion and add on. Homopolymer too has been separated out. An increase in grafting parameters was observed with increase in ferrous ion concentration (4×10-3 moldm-3 to 5.0×10-3 moldm-3) while with increasing bromate ion concentration, grafting ratio, efficiency, add on and conversion were found to decrease. It was observed that grafting takes place efficiently when acrylamide concentration and temperature were 4.0×10-3 moldm-3 and 35°C, respectively.