Chemically induced graft copolymerization of 4-vinyl pyridine onto carboxymethyl chitosan

A novel super absorbent polymer was prepared by graft copolymerization of 4-vinyl pyridine (4VP) onto the chains of carboxymethyl chitosan in aqueous solution using potassium persulphate (KPS) as initiator. The effect of monomer and initiator concentration, reaction temperature, and time on the grafting yield has been investigated. The maximum grafting yield was achieved at [KPS] = 4 x 10(-2) mol/L, [M] = 2.5 mol/L at reaction temperature = 60 degrees C within reaction time = 3 h. The molecular structure of the graft copolymer was confirmed by FTIR, surface morphology before and after the polymerization was examined by SEM. Different analyses were done for the graft copolymer such as X-ray diffraction, solubility tests, and thermal analysis. Different applications were done on the graft copolymer such as swell ability in different pH solutions, dye, and metal uptake.