Studies on graft copolymerization of 3-acrylamidopropyl trimethylammonium chloride on pullulan

Graft-polymerization of (3-acrylamidopropyl)-trimethylammonium chloride onto pullulan using potassium persulfate as an initiator was carried out in an aqueous solution. Evidence of grafting was obtained by comparing 1H NMR, FT-IR spectra, SEM and TGA analysis of pullulan and the grafted copolymer. The effects of reaction conditions on the grafting parameters (such as initiator, monomer, and pullulan concentrations, reaction time and temperature) were investigated, and the optimal conditions for the grafting reaction were established. A plausible mechanism for the free-radical grafting was suggested. The obtained graft copolymer was designed to be used in waste water treatment processes and drug delivery.