Synthesis of graft copolymers of cassava starch and methyl methacrylate using benzoyl peroxide as an initiator

Abstract

Graft copolymers of cassava starch and methyl methacrylate were synthesized by free radical polymerization using benzoyl peroxide as an initiator in aqueous medium at 80°C. The formation of graft copolymers was confirmed by analyzing the obtained products with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The effects of the amount of cassava starch, the amount of MMA monomer, the amount of benzoyl peroxide, and the reaction time on grafting characteristics were studied. It was found that the optimum condition for grafting was obtained when 5 g of cassava starch, 5 g of methyl methacrylate, 0.1 g of benzoyl peroxide, and the reaction time of 3 hours were used. This condition provided a graft copolymer having 25 .00 percent add-on, 81.40 percent monomer conversion, 54.30 percent homopoly (methyl methacrylate) formed, 45.70 percent grafting efficiency, 37.20 percent grafting ratio, and 95.54 percent yield.