Improving graft level during photoinduced graft‐copolymerization of styrene onto cotton cellulose

Styrene was graft‐copolymerized onto cotton cellulose using photoinitiators uranyl nitrate (UN), ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN), and benzoin ethyl ether (BEE) under ultraviolet radiation. UN gave somewhat higher graft add‐on. Preswelling of the substrate or using divinyl benzene in the grafting bath gave an increased level of graft, the later technique being more efficient. The moisture regain and tenacity decreased, whereas thermal stability increased in proportion to the graft add‐on.