Synthesis and characterization of starch-poly(methyl methacrylate) graft copolymers

The graft copolymerization was carried out by methyl methacrylate with starch in which azobisisobutyronitrile was used as an initiator. The grafting reactions were carried out within a 65-95degreesC temperature range, and the effect of the monomer, initiator concentrations, and the amount of starch on the graft Yield were also investigated. The maximum graft yield was obtained at a azobisisobutyronitrile concentration of 2.0 X 10(-3) mol/L. The overall rate activation energy of the reaction was found to be 89.42 kJ/mol, The grafted starches were characterized with infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and thermogravimetry. (C) 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.