Effect of reaction conditions on grafting ratio and properties of starch nanocrystals‐g‐polystyrene. Issue 15 (4th March 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Cai; Pan, Zelin; Wu, Meiyan; Zhao, Ping
• Is Part Of: Journal of applied polymer science. Volume 131:Issue 15(2014:Aug. 05)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2014-03-04
• Subjects: Polymers -- Periodicals; Polymerization -- Periodicals; 668.9
• DOI: 10.1002/app.40571
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-8995

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main"> <title>ABSTRACT</title> <p>Starch nanocrystals‐<italic>g</italic>‐polystyrene (StN‐<italic>g</italic>‐PS) was synthesized by free radical emulsion copolymerization of starch nanocrystals with styrene. The effect of polymerization conditions on grafting efficiency (GE) and grafting ratio (GR) were investigated. It was found that during graft copolymerization procedure both GE and GR increase with increasing monomer concentration and reaction time. As a result the high GE and high GR can be achieved. The good linear fit of the GR with <italic>A</italic>_St/<italic>A</italic>_OH (the absorption strength ratio of aromatic ring peaks and hydroxyl group peaks) confirmed that during graft copolymerization, FTIR spectra can be used as a simple method for determining GR. X‐ray diffraction showed that the crystallinity of StN‐<italic>g</italic>‐PS decreased slightly with increasing GR. Grafted polystyrene side chains can improve the interface compatibility of starch nanocrystals with the hydrophobic polymer matrix. The mechanical properties of StN‐<italic>g</italic>‐PS/rubber nanocomposites can be obviously enhanced. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. <bold>2014</bold>, <italic>131</italic>, 40571.</p> </abstract>