Chemically Induced Graft Copolymerization of Itaconic Acid onto Sisal Fibers

Itaconic acid (IA) was grafted onto sisal fibers using potassium persulfate as initiator. The effect of the monomer, initiator concentration, and reaction temperature on the grafting percentage has been investigated. Evidence of the grafting process has been shown using IR spectroscopy and a scanning electron microscope. The tensile strength and thermogravimetric analyses for ungrafted and grafted samples with various degrees of grafting have also been investigated. The effect of grafting percent on the dyeability of grafted sisal fibers with basic dye has been studied.