Graft Copolymerization of Methyl Methacrylate onto Alginate Using Benzoyl Peroxide Initiator.

The graft copolymerization was carried out by methyl methacrylate with sodium alginate in which benzoyl peroxide (BPO) was used as initiator. It was found that the percentages of grafting and grafting yield were dependent on the concentration of methyl methacrylate (MMA), sodium alginate (NaAlg), BPO reaction temperature and reaction time. The optimum percentage of grafting was obtained when the concentration of BPO, MMA, and NaAlg were 4.13 x 10(-3) mol L-1, 7.99 x 10(-1) mol L-1 and 1% w/v, respectively. The optimum reaction temperature and time were 80 degrees C and 2 h, respectively. The graft copolymers were characterized by using FTIR spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning electron microscopy and solid-state C-13-NMR spectroscopy. The plausible reaction mechanism of the graft copolymer formation using BPO initiating system has been proposed.