Polymerization of glycidyl methacrylate with poly(ethylene terephthalate) fibers using Fe+2–H2O2 redox system

Fe+2–H2O2 redox system initiated polymerization reactions of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) from aqueous solution with poly(ethylene terephthalate) fibers (PET) were investigated. The polymer add‐on is greatly influenced by H2O2 concentration, GMA concentration, as well as reaction time and temperature. Polymer add‐on was directly related to H2O2 concentration up to 30 meq/L and GMA concentration up to 4%. Further increase in concentrations of H2O2 and GMA resulted in lower polymer add‐on. Raising the reaction temperature from 65°C to 95°C caused a significant enhancement in the rate of polymerization, the latter follows the order 95 > 85 > 75 > 65°C. However, at 65°C, the polymerization reaction showed an induction period of about 120 min, in contrast with reactions at 75°C, 85°C, and 95°C, where no induction period was observed though the polymer add‐on was quite low at 75°C during the initial stages of the reaction. Using dimethylformamide (DMF) alone or mixed with water as polymerization medium offset the polymerization reaction. Incorporation of thioureadioxide in the polymerization system decreased the polymer add‐on significantly.