Graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate onto gelatin using KMnO₄‐H₂SO₄ redox system

The graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate onto gelatin was studied using KMnO 4 ‐H 2 SO 4 redox system. The maximum graft yield of 64.5% was obtained at the potassium permanganate concentration of 2.00 × 10 −3 mol/L and the optimum temperature of 50°C. Activation energy was calculated as 18.6 kcal/mol at the temperature interval of 40–70°C. The results of the thermogravimetric analysis showed that the degradation temperature of gelatin increased as a result of grafting. Moreover, some changes in the properties of methyl methacrylate‐grafted samples were also observed.