Graft Polymerization of Vinyl and Acrylic Monomers in Phosphorylated Cotton Fabric

Abstract

The ion-binding capacity of cotton was readily increased by heating fabric with alkali phosphates to effect phosphoryla tion. Subsequent contact with solutions of redox polymerization initiators then bound the cationic component of the ini tiator to the cellulose. Graft polymerization of olefinic monomers in this phosphorylated, ion-exchanged fabric occurred with high speed and efficiency. The polymers formed were for the most part durable to solvents, acid, and alkali. At high weight gains, increased flex- abrasion resistance was imparted by polymerization of methyl acrylate in phosphorylated cotton. Polymerization of bifunctional monomers such as glycidyl acrylate or N-methylolacrylamide within the fibers was similarly accomplished. Delayed curing with acid catalysts then produced cross links between polymer and cellulose. Wrinkle recovery angles of 265°-285° (W+F) were observed at weight gains of 4-11%. Mixtures of monofunctional and bifunctional monomers could be used in varying ratios, permitting the proportion of cellulose-reactive groups in the resulting graft copolymer to be varied.