Photo-induced graft copolymerization: XIV—Graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate onto nylon-6 using acriflavin as the photoinitiator

The photo-induced graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate onto nylon-6 was investigated using acriflavin as the photoinitiator. The systems were buffered with phosphate-citrate buffer (Na₂HPO₄-citric acid). Up to a certain concentration of the monomer and the initiator, the graft yield goes on increasing: thereafter a decreasing trend was observed. The reaction was carried out within the temperature range 30–55°C and from the corresponding Arrhenius plot the energy of activation was evaluated. The effect of ascorbic acid, buffer and amount of the fiber on the graft yield has been investigated. From the effect of solvent on the rate of grafting, which has been investigated, the chain transfer constant (C_s) of the solvent has been evaluated. The kinetic data and other evidence indicate that the overall polymerization takes place by a radical mechanism. A suitable mechanism has been suggested and rate expressions have been derived.