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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

PROCESS FOR GRAFTING POLYMERS TO CELLULOSE SUBSTRATES

Patent ·
OSTI ID:4121620

An improvement in the polymer-grafting of cellulose substrates by irradiation techniques is proposed. The improvement comprises swelling the substrate by incorporating therein at least 15% by weight of a watersoluble, non- polymerizable swelling agent for cellulose, and thereaftcr subjecting the substrate to ionizing radiation. A polymerizable ethylenically unsaturated monomer is then applied to the substrate and is polymerized in situ as a result of the action of the radiation. The polymerizable monomer may be in contact with the substrate during irradiation or may be applied afterward. The swelling agent is preferably a liquid but may be a vapor. It may be water itself, a non- polymerizable watersoluble acid, base, or salt, or an organic system such as glycerol or ZnCl/sub 2/-methanol. A minimum exposure of 0.001 watt-sec/cm/sup 2/ to ionizing radiation of 0.75 to 5 Mev is necessary. The swelling agent may be subsequently removed with essentially no loss of the graftings. (A.G.W.)

Research Organization:
Originating Research Org. not identified
NSA Number:
NSA-18-005407
Assignee:
E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Co.
Patent Number(s):
US 3101276
OSTI ID:
4121620
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English