Graft copolymerization of styrene, methylmethacrylate, and acrylonitrile onto jute fibres

Abstract The contribution of jute constituents, namely, water soluble matters, waxes, pectins, lignin, hemicelluloses, and α‐cellulose in the graft copolymerization reaction of jute fabric with some vinyl monomers was investigated. Styrene, methylmethacrylate, and acrylonitrile were used as the monomers and Fe 2+ /H 2 O 2 redox system as initiator. The graft copolymerization reaction was carried out at 80°C using different concentrations of monomer and initiator for different lengths of time. The water soluble matters, pectins, and lignin were found to accelerate the graft copolymerization reaction during the initial stages of the reaction and in the meantime impede termination during the latter stages of the reaction. Generally, the magnitude of grafting is governed by nature of the substrate, nature of the monomer, and the conditions of the polymerization reaction. Grafting decreases the moisture regain of jute and substrates derived thereof irrespective of the monomer used within the range studied. Also, grafting decreases the tensile strength and imparts rot‐proofing properties to the substrates examined.