Formation of peroxide on aldehyde cellulose and its ability to initiate graft copolymerization

Abstract Cellulose peroxide formed by the treatment of aldehyde cellulose with hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) was investigated with respect to formation and decomposition conditions and with respect to graft initiation. Periodic acid‐oxidized cellulose was proved to produce the peroxide group on the substrate by subsequent treatment with H2O2, whereas no peroxide was produced with unoxidized cellulose. Since the peroxide content of oxidized cellulose increased with increasing carbonyl content of the sample, the peroxide was presumed to be introduced at the site of the aldehyde group of the sample. The peroxide groups formed were proved to revert to aldehyde groups by decomposition upon heating with water to nearly the same level as the original. The structure of the peroxide group was believed therefore to be an α‐hydroxy hydroperoxide type. The cellulose peroxide was found to initiate graft copolymerization of methyl methacrylate very easily in thermal initiation and photoinitiation systems.