Polymerization of methyl methacrylate in water in presence of depithed bagasse and pith

The polymerization rate of methyl methacrylate in water using sodium bisulfite as initiator in absence and in presence of lignocellulose (depithed bagasse, pith and treated pith) was studied. It was found that the rate of polymerization was considerably higher in presence of bagasse pith than depithed bagasse. The rate of polymerization was further increased upon alkali or acid treatment of the pith. The greatest increase in the polymerization rate was obtained when using alkali treated pith in the non‐dried state. This was attributed to the removal of some constituents containing inhibitors from the pith as well as to increasing accessibility of pith cell walls due to the alkali treatment.