Copolímeros graftizados em produtos naturais.

Abstract

This work was carried out during the internship period at the Materials Engineering Laboratory of the Federal University of Paraíba, in the polymer sector, with the objective of producing graft copolymers, by the polymerization of methyl methacrylate in the presence of starch in order to, eventually obtain a moldable and biodegradable thermoplastic product. Initially, a bibliographic survey was carried out to determine the methodology to be used. However, due to successive equipment breakdowns, an alternative and simplified method had to be used. Reactions were carried out in bulk, without stirring, using AZDN (azobis - diisobutylnitrile) as a starter at 70°C. After 3 hours of reaction, the conversion percentage, grafting parameters and the homopolymer molecular weight (PMMA) were determined as a function of the starter concentration, while the monomer and starch (arrowroot) concentrations were kept constant. .