Abstract
Graft copolymerization of methlymethacrylate(MMA) onto sodium alginate(SA) aqueous solution by sodium metaperiodate$(NaIO_4)$ as an initiator was carried out with the variation of the reaction time, the reaction temperature and the concentrations of initiator and monomer. The results obtained were as follows: 1. SA was easily separated from the reaction mixture of homopolymer, graft polymer and sodium alginate ungrafted by the treatment of concentrated boiling $Na_3PO_4$, solution with the small amount of $Na_2SO_3$ to the mixture and then isolated as the acid form by acidifying the salts solution containing SA. 2. The amount of graft polymer was larger than that of homopolymer below $70^{\circ}C$ whereas above $70^{\circ}C$ the amount of homopolymer was larger. 3. The sum of each amount of graft polymer ana homopolymer was always increased with increase of the reaction time, the reaction temperature and the concentrations of initiator and monomer. 4. With increase of the concentration of initiator, the graft efficiency was increased below $70^{\circ}C$ while decreased above $70^{\circ}C$. 5. Graft copolymerization of MMA onto SA in aqueous solution was carried out without initiator.