Improvement of properties of natural polymers with organo-metallic complexes under ultraviolet radiation

Thin polymer films were prepared under ultraviolet radiation with a triacrylated aliphatic urethane oligomer that was diluted with reactive monomers such as N-vinyl pyrrolidone and tripropylene glycol diacrylate. These films were characterized. The effect of incorporation of a minute amount (>0.15%) of a titanium-pyridine complex and its ligands on the characterization of these polymers was investigated. Cotton and jute yarns were treated with the solutions containing these materials under the UV radiation. The change in tensile properties of the treated natural polymers (cotton and jute) was evaluated, and it was found that the titanium-pyridine-based complex substantially enhanced the tensile strengths (tenacity) for bath cotton and jute. (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.