Characterization of Microwave-Controlled Polyacrylamide Graft Copolymer of Tamarind Seed Polysaccharide

The main objective of the study was to prepare tamarind seed polysaccharide grafted copolymers of polyacrylamide (TSP-g-Am) using a 3² factorial design. Tamarind seed polysaccharide (TSP) was extracted, and grafted copolymer of TSP was prepared using polyacrylamide as copolymer and ceric ammonium nitrate as initiator. Various batches (F1-F9) of TSP-g-Am were prepared, among which F1 showed highest grafting efficiency; hence, the prepared TSP-g-Am (F1) was evaluated for grafting efficiency, conversion, effect of initiator and further characterized using SEM analysis, contact angle determination, DSC analysis, swelling index, swelling and deswelling, and chemical resistance. The contact angle of TSP was found to be 81 ± 2, and that of TSP-g-Am (F1) was found to be 74 ± 2, which indicates that the wetting ability of the grafted copolymer was less than that of the native polymer. The results of thermal analysis indicated that TSP-g-Am had a more stable molecular structure than TSP. The morphology of the grafted polymer was observed from SEM images, and it was observed that the particles was asymmetrical. Antimicrobial activity was also found in the grafted copolymer. The present study concludes that the TSP-g-Am showed an excellent performance in thermal stability and swelling capacity compared with TSP. The detailed structural characteristics, as well as the excellent thermal stability and swelling capacities, will make it beneficial to use the synthesised copolymer as a precursor for the production of large-scale eco-friendly advanced materials with a wide range of applications, acting as a stabiliser, thickener, binder, release retardant, modifier, suspending agent, viscosity enhancer, emulsifying agent, or carrier for novel drug delivery systems in oral, buccal, colon, and ocular systems, and in nanofabrication and wound dressing, and it is also becoming an important part of food, cosmetics, confectionery, and bakery.

A Review on the Modification of Polysaccharide Through Graft Copolymerization for Various Potential Applications

INTRODUCTION

Graft copolymerization is one of the most promising technique uses to modify the properties of naturally available polymers with a minimum loss in their native characteristics.

METHODS AND MATERIALS

Graft copolymerization is a very significant technique to add hybrid properties in backbone of polymers. The grafting generally initiated through the formation of free radical centers on the polymer backbone as well as monomer.

RESULTS

Grafted polysaccharides have various applications in different important scientific areas such as drug delivery, pharmaceutical field, plastic industry, waste water treatment, tannery effluent treatment, textile industry, agriculture area, etc. all of this fascinated us to summarize the major research articles over the last two decades outlining different methods of grafting, surface modification, graft copolymerization of synthetic and natural polymers.

CONCLUSION

Various redox initiator systems viz. Ceric ammonium nitrate, per sulfate, Irradiation, FAS-H2O2etc. is also explored for grafting of vinyl through conventional and non-conventional techniques.

Effect of Deacetylation on Characterization of pH Stimulus Responsive Chitosan-Acrylamide Hydrogels Using Radiation

Smart hydrogels which can change their swelling behavior and other properties in response to environmental stimuli such as temperature, pH, solvent composition and electric fields, have attracted great interest as chemical sensor material and controlled release system. The pH stimulus responsive hydrogels were synthesized by gamma-irradiation graft copolymerization of chitosan-acrylamide. In this research the influence of deacetylation process on the hydrogels characterization were investigated by measuring grafting efficiency, gel fraction, swelling degree, and crosslink density. Evidence of grafting was confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy. X-ray diffraction showed reduction in the crystallinity of chitosan with different deacetylation process also after the graft copolymerization reaction. The results showed that decreasing acetyl group of chitosan increase the grafting efficiency, gel fraction and swelling degree. While crystallinity decreased. The hydrogels indicated pH-dependent swelling behaviour.