Abstract

Polymer deriving from nature as Chitosan, which is one of the most abundant natural polymers in the world has effectively antibacterial potentiality. However, chitosan is relatively difficult for applications due to its disadvantageous properties. In this article, modifying chitosan (CS) is the grafting copolymerization using monomer n-butyl acrylate (BA) and tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP) as an initiator. This process purposes to attain product having lower glass transition temperature (Tg) than original chitosan causing a wide range of applications but still keeping the capability of being an excellently antibacterial agent. The effects of parameters on synthesizing copolymer were studied by determining the grafting percentage (G%) and grafting efficiency (E%). The results revealed that the highest G = 242% and E = 61% were obtained at the conditions as following: BA/CS = 4 w/w, TBHP/CS = 5 v/w with [TBHP] = 20mM, [CS] = 0.75% w/v in acetic acid 0.6% and reaction temperature 90°C in 6 hours.