Graft copolymerization of ethyl acrylate onto tamarind kernel powder, and evaluation of its biodegradability

In the present study, tamarind kernel powder and ethyl acrylate were reacted by free radical polymerization to synthesize a grafted copolymer soluble in water. The grafted copolymer was analyzed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR); FTIR showed a shift of the vibration of RCOOR′ from 1258 cm−1 to 1253 cm−1. This shift appeared because of the grafting copolymerization. Films were prepared to study the mechanical properties and the biodegradation of this material. The mechanical properties of the grafted copolymer were found to lie between those of the parent polymers, suitable for disposable products. The new grafted copolymer manifested a steady process of biodegradation under incubation with the bacterial strain Alicycliphilus sp. BQ1; this was proved by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and near infrared spectroscopy (NIR).