MW-assisted synthesis of carboxymethyl tamarind kernel polysaccharide-g-polyacrylonitrile: Optimization and characterization

Microwave-assisted synthesis of graft copolymer of carboxymethyl tamarind seed polysaccharide and polyacrylonitrile was carried out. The effect of formulation and process variables on grafting efficiency of carboxymethyl tamarind kernel polysaccharide-g-poly(acrylonitrile) was studied using response surface methodology. The results revealed that the significant factors affecting grafting efficiency were concentrations of ammonium persulphate, acrylonitrile and interaction effects of ammonium persulphate and acrylonitrile concentrations. The optimal calculated parameters were found to be microwave exposure time-99.48 s, microwave exposure power-160 W, concentration of acrylonitrile-0.10% (w/v), concentration of ammonium persulphate-40 mmol/l, which provided graft copolymer with grafting efficiency of 96%. The formation of graft copolymer was confirmed by FT-IR studies and validated by scanning electron micrographs. Thermogravimetric analysis indicated higher thermal stability of graft copolymer and X-ray diffraction study revealed increase in crystallinity on graft polymerization. Further, the graft copolymer showed pH dependant swelling.