Immobilization of Azo-initiator and Subsequent Graft Polymerization of Vinyl Monomers on Cellulose and Cellulose Acetate

Cellulosic azo-initiators (CAI) were prepared from cellulose and cellulose acetate (CAc) by treating with a reactive azo-initiator, 4, 4'-azobis(4-cyanopentanoyl chloride) (ACPC) and polymerization of vinyl monomers such as styrene, methyl methacrylate (MMA) and acrylamide was studied with CAI yielding graft copolymers of cellulosics. The rate of polymerization of styrene with CAI from CAc was larger than that with ACPC. Azo groups were found to remain in the CAI after polymerization with styrene and could be used for further polymerization with MMA. In this case, as the grafting of polystyrene of the CAI samples increased, the grafting of poly(MMA) at the second polymerization lowered.