Preparation of chitosan/poly(butyl acrylate) hybrid materials by radiation-induced graft copolymerization based on phthaloylchitosan

Graft copolymerization of butyl acrylate onto chitosan via phthaloylchitosan intermediate has been examined. Because the intermediate phthaloylchitosan was soluble in organic solvents, the graft copolymerization can be carried out efficiently in homogeneous system. Under appropriate irradiation dose and concentration of butyl acrylate monomer, the grafting percentage reached 838%. The graft copolymers exhibited high swelling not only in aqueous acid but also in organic solvents. Due to the poly(butyl acrylate) side chains, the resulting graft copolymers exhibited glass transition phenomena and showed improved thermal stability.