Radiation-Induced Graft Copolymerization of Methyl Acrylate and Acrylic Acid onto Rubber Wood Fiber

Graft copolymerization of methyl acrylate and acrylic acid monomers onto rubber wood fiber (RWF) was carried out by simultaneous radiation-induced technique. The parameters affecting the grafting reaction were investigated and the optimum conditions for both monomers obtained are as follows: impregnation time, 16 hours; total dose, 30 kGy; methanol:water ratio, 3: 1 ; monomers concentration, 40 v/v% and sulphuric acid concentration, 0.1 mol/L. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), Thermogravimetry Analysis (TGA), and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) analyses were performed to characterize graft copolymers. The structural investigation by X-ray diffraction (XRD) shows the degree of crystallinity of rubber wood fiber decreased with the incorporation of poly(methyl acrylate) and poly(acrylic acid) grafts which causes partial destruction of the inherent crystallinity in fiber. The sorption behavior of poly(acrylic acid)- grafted RWF resin toward some metal ions was investigated using a batch technique. The binding capacities ofeu, Fe, Zn, Cd and Pb ions were 0.379, 0.795, 0.189, 0.921 and 1.218 mmol/g, respectively. The sorption capacities of poly(acrylic acid)-grafted RWF resin were selectivity toward these metal ions is in the following order: Pb > Cd> Fe > Cu > Zn. Irradiated PP/poly(methyl acrylate)-grafted RWF composite has higher mechanical properties than PP/poly(methyl acrylate)-grafted RWF composite because of EB treatment of PP is a highly efficient technique of creating chemically active sites on PP matrix, which created a better coupling, and can be proved by SEM studies and TGA analysis. Generally, the addition of poly(methyl acrylate)-grafted RWF as coupling agent into the composites reduces the flexural and tensile properties, which, causes poor and incompatible dispersion, which leads to poor filler-matrix interfacial bonding. But, the addition of 1.0 wt % of P(MA)-g-RWF into the blend give an optimum value of flexural and tensile properties.

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