Author

Abstract

Owing to hydrophilic behavior lignocellulosic fibers, e.g. Agave is unacceptable in various fields of applications. In the present communication attempts have been made to enhance hyrdrophobicity of these fibers through surface modification using methyl methacrylate as vinyl monomer. The grafting reaction initiated by ceric ion was carried out in vacuum. The various reaction parameters such as reaction time, temperature, monomer concentration, initiator concentration and vacuum were optimized to obtain the maximum percent graft yield. The grafted samples were evaluated for the hydrophobic character and other physico- chemical properties such as swelling behavior in different polar and nonpolar solvents alongwith chemical resistance behavior. The grafted products were further characterized by different techniques such as FT-IR, SEM, X-RD and thermogravimetric studies.

Keywords