Grafting Vinyl Monomers onto Tussah Silk Fiber. I. Graft Copolymerization of Methyl Methacrylate onto Nonmulberry Tussah Silk by Tetravalent Cerium Ion

The graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate onto nonmulberry natural tussah silk fibers was investigated in aqueous solution using tetravalent cerium as initiator. The rate of grafting was determined by varying the monomer concentration, the cerium (IV) concentration, the temperature, and the nature of the silk. With increasing monomer concentration the graft yield increased (up to 0.657 M) and thereafter decreased. The graft yield also increased with increasing cerium (IV) concentration. The graft-on was influenced by chemical modification of the tussah silk prior to grafting. The effect of certain inorganic salts on the rate of grafting was investigated.