Graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate onto jute fibers. Studies on vanadium (V)‐cyclohexanol redox system

Graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate (MMA) onto natural jute (chemically modified) was studied using V 5+ ‐cyclohexanol redox initiator system. The effects of time, concentration of metal ion (V 5+ ), monomer (MMA), substrate, amount of jute fibers, temperature, and acid concentration on graft yield have been studied. The effects of some organic solvents and inorganic salts on graft yield have also been studied. A grafting mechanism is proposed and an expression has been derived for the reaction rate. Grafting has improved the thermal stability and the light fastness of jute fibers dyed with basic dyes. IR spectra of the natural jute (chemically modified) and grafted jute have been taken. More than 170% graft yield could be achieved with the present system.