Thermo-responsive cellulose papers grafted with poly (di(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate)

Novel thermo-responsive cellulose papers were prepared via grafting poly (di(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate) (PDEGMA) by activators regenerating electron transfer (ARGET) and atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). Attenuated total refraction Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) measurements of the modified paper showed that PDEGMA brushes were successfully grafted on the paper surface. The thermal stability of the papers before and after grafting was evaluated by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The PDEGMA-grafted paper exhibited a two-step thermal degradation process, and presented thermo-responsive characteristics. It was hydrophilic at room temperature but changed rapidly to highly hydrophobic when the temperature rose above 50℃.