Synthesis and characterization of cellulose ion exchangers .1. Polymerization of glycidyl methacrylate, dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate, and acrylic acid with cotton cellulose using thiocarbonate-H2O2 redox system

Polymerization of glycidyl methacrylate ( GMA), dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA) and acrylic acid (AA) with cotton fabric using a cellulose thiocarbonate-hydrogen peroxide redox system as an initiator was investigated under different conditions. This includes the nature and concentration of the initiator and monomer, polymerization time and temperature, and liquor ratio. The percent of polymer add-on is generally favored by increasing monomer and H2O2 concentration, as well as duration and temperature of the polymerization, but with the certainty that the percent of polymer add-on follows the following order: GMA > DMAEMA > AA. On the other hand, the percent of polymer add-on increases by decreasing the liquor ratio. Incorporation of Fe2+ or Cu2+ ion in the polymerization system enhances the percent of polymer add-on significantly. Replacing the H2O2 by other oxidants such as Cr6+ or Mn4+ is made, and the capability of such cations to expedite polymerization of the said monomers with cotton cellulose is studied. Also studied is the synthesis of cation exchanger via reaction of poly(GMA)-cellulose copolymer with hexamethylene tetramine. Furthermore, the ion exchange characteristics of the cellulosic copolymers obtained with this as well as with other monomers are reported. (C) 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.