Fe²⁺-H₂O₂Initiated Grafting of Lignocellulose with Methyl Methacrylate and Its Mechanism

Graft copolymerization of MMA onto bagasse pith, a lignocellulose material, using Fe2+-H2O2 as an initiator was investigated. To examine the behaviors of lignin and holocellulose in graft copolymerization, the grafted poly(methyl methacrylate) chains on lignin and holocellulose were separated by delignification with acid chlorite and hydrolysis of holocellulose with 72% sulfuric acid, and their molecular weights were measured. The roles of phenolic hydroxyl, alcoholic hydroxyl, and carbonyl groups are discussed by investigating the effect of pretreatments of lignocellulose on grafting, and a grafting mechanism is proposed.