RAFT mediated polysaccharide copolymers

Graft copolymers were prepared using the RAFT process via a Z-group approach, where xanthate esters were formed directly on a cellulosic substrate. Grafting of vinyl acetate onto the modified cellulosic materials was then carried out via the reversible addition fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) process. The xanthate RAFT agents on the backbone of the cellulosic materials were identified by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–vis). The number average molar masses of the graft copolymers were determined using size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and further characterization was conducted via liquid adsorption chromatography (LAC). The chromatographic results showed that the modified cellulosic materials were successfully grafted with polyvinyl acetate in a controlled manner. Grafted polyvinyl acetate (on the surface) and nongrafted polyvinyl acetate (in the solution) have almost the same molar mass and polydispersity index.