Grafting of methyl methacrylate onto Antheraea pernyi silk fiber with the assistance of supercritical CO2

Graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) onto Antheraea pernyi silk fibers, initiated by benzoyl peroxide in the supercritical CO2 was investigated. The grafting degree was determined as a function of impregnating pressure, impregnating time, monomer concentration, initiator concentration, and reaction time. The structural properties of MMA‐grafted fiber were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Grafted MMA was chemically bonded and/or physically adhered to the surfaces of the fibers. The grafted silk fibers exhibited two steps of weight loss according to the characteristic of each component as demonstrated by the thermogravimetric analysis. The water‐retention values indicated that the hydrophobic nature of the fibers was improved. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 100: 1299–1305, 2006