Abstract
Purified flax waste was obtained from flax processing wastes via subjecting the latter to alkali treatment followed by peracetic acid bleaching. The so obtained purified flax wastes were chemically modified via reacting with propylene oxide in alkaline medium. The resultant hydroxypropyl cellulose (HPC) was incorporated in a polymerization medium containing acrylic acid and potassium bromate/thiourea mixture as initiation system. The polymerization reaction was monitored by determining the total conversion percent and the rheological properties of the resultant polyacrylic acid-hydroxypropyl cellulose composite [poly(AA)-HPC]. Results obtained indicate that the optimum conditions of polymerization process were: 12 mmole KBrO3, 4 mmole thiourea and 100 g acrylic acid/100 g HPC at 50 degrees C for 2 h using a material to liquor ratio of 1:5. (C) 2008 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.