Adjustable wettability of methyl methacrylate modified ramie fiber by ATRP

POLY 479

Zhao-Tie Liu, ztliu@snnu.edu.cn1, Chang'an Sun1, Zhong-Wen Liu1, and Jian Lu2. (1) Key Laboratory of Applied Surface and Colloid Chemistry, MInistry of Education, School of Chemistry & Materials Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an, 710062, China, (2) Xi’an Modern Chemistry Research Institute, Xi'an, 710065, China
The surface hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity of ramie fiber was regulated through the atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) of methyl methacrylate (MMA) from initiators immobilized on the fiber. The optimal reaction conditions for preparing the macroinitiated ramie fiber are determined to be the temperature of 60 C, and reaction time of 24 h. The grafted copolymers were analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive analysis of X-ray (SEM/EDAX), gelatin pervasion chromatogram (GPC), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Results indicate that poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) was covalently bonded onto the surface of ramie fiber, and the polymerization of MMA is a "living"/controlled process under the investigated conditions. Results of contact angle measurements indicate that the wettability of ramie fiber can be widely regulated by controlling the grafted ratios of PMMA.
 

Polymers from Renewable Resources
6:00 PM-8:00 PM, Tuesday, August 21, 2007 BCEC -- Exhibit Hall - B2, Poster

Division of Polymer Chemistry

The 234th ACS National Meeting, Boston, MA, August 19-23, 2007