Title
Synthesis of 2-hydroxy ethyl methacrylate grafted cotton fibers and their fastness properties
Authors
MEHLIKA PULAT and FATMA NURALIN

Received April 11, 2011
Published Volume 48 Issue 1-2 January-February
Keywords cotton fibers, 2-hydroxy ethyl methacrylate (HEMA), grafting, swelling test, fastness

Abstract
In this study, 2-hydroxy ethyl methacrylate (HEMA) monomer was grafted onto cotton fibers, using a benzoyl peroxide (BPO) initiator. The effects of grafting temperature, grafting time, monomer and initiator concentrations on grafting yield (GY) and grafting efficiency (GE) percentages were investigated and the optimum grafting conditions were determined. Maximum GY value was obtained as 47.6%. From swelling tests, it was observed that GY positively affected the swelling percentages of grafted fibers. SEM analyses of grafted and ungrafted fibers were performed in order to characterize fiber morphology. The dyed fibers were subjected to fastness tests and higher fastness ratings were observed for grafted fibers, compared to ungrafted samples.