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ABSTRACT
The graft copolymerisation of methyl methacrylate (MMA) onto rice straw using potassium permanganate (KMnO4)–oxalic acid redox initiator was investigated. Effect of various parameters on grafting, such as concentration of monomer, grafting time and grafting temperature, was studied. The characteristics of the raw and grafted product were evaluated by infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy whilst the elementary analysis and the thermal decomposition were done by the energy dispersive X-ray analysis and thermogravimetric technique, respectively. The biodegradation test was carried out for justifying its commercialisation in terms of increase in durability of the product. Mechanism of grafting of MMA onto rice straw was proposed. The percentage of grafting reached 49% at 50°C for a monomer concentration of 3.72 cc, whereas the biodegradability of the grafted rice straw was calculated to be 0.01. The flammability of the raw rice straw and grafted straw was characterised by limiting oxygen index and the value was obtained to be 19.2% and 25.1%, respectively, indicating its flame retardancy.
GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.