Graft copolymerization of starch–AN initiated by potassium permanganate

The initiating ability of the potassium permanganate in the graft copolymerization of acrylonitrile onto starch was studied. The results indicate that the grafting parameters, such as concentrations of potassium permanganate, acrylonitrile, starch, and catalyst acids, all have significant effects on the graft copolymerization and the components of the graft copolymers, and this offers methods to adjust the properties of the graft copolymers. The sources of starch and corn starch derivatives both affected the components of the graft copolymers, which showed the influence of functional group on the grafting ability of starch. The preheat treatment and preoxidation of starch, as well as the adding sequence of the reactants all influenced the graft copolymerization, from which some suggestions about the grafting procession could be obtained. © 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 68: 1965–1972, 1998