Vol. 12, Issue 1 (2023)

Author(s):
Sheeba Malik, Pramod Kumar Omre, Navin Chandra Shahi, Om Prakash and Anil Kumar

Abstract:
The present work evaluated the surface modification of cellulose by methyl methacrylate using ultrasound assisted graft copolymerization method to reduce the hydrophilicity of cellulose fiber. Potassium per sulfate was used as initiator. Cellulose was extracted from rice husk using alkali-chlorination method and grafting of cellulose was done using two concentrations of MMA (2.5 and 3.5 × 10^-1 mol L^-1), three reaction temperature (60, 70, 80 °C) and three ultra-sonication time (20, 30, 40 min). Effect of these on grafting efficiency was evaluated. Results indicated that the grafting efficiency was varied from 30.34% to 86.65%. The structural analysis of rice husk, raw and grafted cellulose was done by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and revealed that alkali chlorination method successfully removed non cellulosic fibers and other impurities from rice husk and grafted cellulose had rough surface than un-grafted cellulose. The swelling% was decreased up to 30.6% which makes it more compatible to use as filler in hydrophobic polymers.