Functionalization of polyester fibers with asidic and basic groups by graft copolymerization and investigation of some properties

In this study synthesised of functionalized polyester fibers with asidic and basic groups by graft copolymerization and investigation of some properties. Functionalized poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET) fibers were synthesized by grafting of maleic acid - methacrylamide (MAA-MAAm) monomer mixtures by using benzoylperoxide as initiator onto PET fibers in an aqueous medium. The functionalized fibers were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimeter, and scanning electron microscopy. The effects of reaction conditions, such as monomer mixture ratio, monomer mixture and initiator concentration, polymerization time, and temperature on grafting were investigated. In alone grafting of MAA, grafting was not observed. However, the use of MAAm as a comonomer increased the amount of MAA inserted to the PET fiber up to 23.9%. An increase in the temperature between 75 oC and 95 oC and also, increase in monomer mixture concentration between 0.50 M and 1.00 M increased the grafting rate and saturation graft yield. The graft yield has shown an increase up to an initiator concentration of 1.0×10-2 M and decreased afterwards. The grafting increased the dyeability with disperse, acidic and basic dyes, and water absorption capacity but decreased the thermal stability of the fibers.Key words: PET fibers; grafting; benzoyl peroxide; comonomer; dyeability