Graft copolymerization of butyl acrylate onto casein initiated by potassium diperiodatonickelate(IV) in alkaline medium

The novel redox system, potassium diperiodatonickelate (Ni(IV))–casein, was used to initiate graft copolymerization of butyl acrylate onto casein under heterogeneous conditions in aqueous 5% potassium hydroxide solution, which showed high grafting efficiency and percent grafting. FT i.r. spectroscopy, thermal analysis and scanning electron microscopy characterized the structures and properties of the grafted copolymer. The effects of synthesis variables in the graft copolymerization have been discussed in the light of grafting efficiency, percent grafting and the rate of polymerization. A possible initiation mechanism is proposed.