ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the procedures for graft copolymerization onto chitin and the derivatives as well as the properties of the resulting graft copolymers. The properties of the graft copolymers would be widely controlled by the characteristics of the introduced side chains, including the molecular structure, length, and number. Azobisisobutyronitrile initiates graft copolymerization of some vinyl monomers including acrylonitrile, methyl methacrylate, methyl acrylate, and vinyl acetate onto chitosan in aqueous acetic acid solution or in suspension in water. The graft copolymers based on chitin will find new applications in various fields such as water treatment, toiletries, medicine, agriculture, food processing, and separation. Carbon-carbon double bonds incorporated by acylation of chitosan with maleic anhydride are available for graft copolymerization initiated with ammonium persulfate. The graft copolymers having short side chains are almost soluble in dimethyl sulfoxide, but the solubility decreases with an increase in the side-chain length.
