Effect of Grafting on the Physical Properties of Acrylonitrile Grafted Pineapple Leaf Fibers Using H2O2/ Fe2+ Initiator

Graft copolymerization of aciylonitrile (AN) onto defatted pineapple leaf fiber (PALF) was studied using combined hydrogen peroxide (H202) and Fe2+ hydroxyl initiator in an aqueous medium at temperature of 60 °C. The effect of the reaction time on the graft yield was investigated via Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy. Physical properties such as moisture regain, water absorption and drying rate tests are determined. The infrared spectra showed the presence of an additional band at 2358 cm-1 until 2700 cm-1 indicative of nitrile group thus confirming the grafting occurrence of AN onto defatted PALF. The grafted PALF shows substitution occurs at the carbonyl and hydroxyl groups and the degree of grafting increases with reaction time. Drying rate increases after grafting AN on PALF. The moisture regain and water absorption tests of PALF showed decrement after grafting with AN. These physical tests indicate that grafting AN on PALF decreases the polarity of the fiber thus becoming more water proof