The effect of chain transfer agent on graft polymerization of styrene to nylon 6 fiber by γ-ray pre-irradiation in air

Styrene was grafted onto nylon 6 fiber by the γ-ray pre-irradiation technique in air. The effect of chain transfer agents such as toluene, triphenyl methane, cyclohexanone, and carbon tetrachloride on the molecular weight and the number of the grafted polystyrene was investigated. The molecular weight (Mn) of the grafted polystyrene was determined by the limiting viscosity number [η] measurement after selective hydrolysis of the backbone. The molecular weight of the grafted polystyrene decreased by adding chain transfer agents such as toluene, triphenylmethane, cyclohexane, and carbon tetrachloride into the medium, while the number of grafted polystyrene was not effected by these agents, in most cases. On the other hand, the number of grafted polystyrene increased by adding water or methanol into the medium. In these cases, the molecular weight of the grafted polystyrene was not affected by water or methanol. (author)