Showing papers on "Acrylic acid published in 2003"
TL;DR: Results suggest that peptide-cross-linked P(NIPAAm-co-AAc) hydrogels can be tailored to create environmentally-responsive artificial extracellular matrixes that are degraded by proteases.
310 citations
TL;DR: In this article, controlled poly(acrylic acid) homopolymers were synthesized for the first time by direct nitroxide-mediated polymerization of acrylic acid using an initiator based on the N-tert-butyl-N-(1-diethyl phosphono-2,2-dimethyl propyl) nitroxides, SG1.
Abstract: Controlled poly(acrylic acid) homopolymers were synthesized for the first time by direct nitroxide-mediated polymerization of acrylic acid. The polymerizations were performed in 1,4-dioxane solution at 120 °C, using an alkoxyamine initiator based on the N-tert-butyl-N-(1-diethyl phosphono-2,2-dimethyl propyl) nitroxide, SG1. The kinetics were controlled by the addition of free nitroxide at the beginning of the polymerization and the optimal amount was 9 mol % with respect to the initiator. In this case, whatever the initiator concentration, all polymerizations exhibited the same rate and conversion reached 85−90% within 5 h. Although the rate constant of propagation of acrylic acid is very large, its reactivity is moderated by a low activation−deactivation equilibrium constant between active macroradicals and SG1-capped dormant chains. Various alkoxyamine concentrations were investigated to target different molar masses. At high initiator concentrations, the number-average molar mass, Mn, increased linear...
287 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, an in situ Fourier transform infrared attenuated total reflection technique was used to examine the interaction of poly(acrylic acid) and hematite at pH 2.
Abstract: The adsorption of water-soluble polymers (e.g., flocculants, coagulants) onto mineral particles is typically characterized by “trains” of adsorbed polymer segments with “loops” and “tails” of unadsorbed polymer segments that extend into the solution. Ex situ spectroscopic studies carried out in the past have been complicated by the way in which the unadsorbed segments of the polymer interact with the surface of the substrate upon drying. In this study, an in situ Fourier transform infrared attenuated total reflection technique was used to examine the interaction of poly(acrylic acid) and hematite at pH 2. A hematite colloid was deposited onto a ZnSe crystal, and the poly(acrylic acid) solution was subsequently pumped across the coated crystal at a known rate. Polymer adsorption was irreversible and could be described by a Langmuir isotherm, the rate of curvature of which suggested that the adsorption was weak. The mode of adsorption was shown to be bidentate chelate complexation by the carboxylate functio...
250 citations
TL;DR: An electroswitchable and tunable biofuel cell based on the biocatalyzed oxidation of glucose is described, which allows for the controlling of the content of conductive domains in the films and the tuning of the output power of theBiofuel cell.
Abstract: An electroswitchable and tunable biofuel cell based on the biocatalyzed oxidation of glucose is described. The anode consists of a Cu2+-poly(acrylic acid) film on which the redox-relay pyrroloquinoline quinone (PQQ) and the flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) cofactor are covalently linked. Apo-glucose oxidase is reconstituted on the FAD sites to yield the glucose oxidase (GOx)-functionalized electrode. The cathode consists of a Cu2+-poly(acrylic acid) film that provides the functional interface for the covalent linkage of cytochrome c (Cyt c) that is further linked to cytochrome oxidase (COx). Electrochemical reduction of the Cu2+-poly(acrylic acid) films (applied potential −0.5 V vs SCE) associated with the anode and cathode yields the conductive Cu0-poly(acrylic acid) matrixes that electrically contact the GOx-electrode and the COx/Cyt c-electrode, respectively. The short-circuit current and open-circuit voltage of the biofuel cell correspond to 105 μA (current density ca. 550 μA cm-2) and 120 mV, respec...
247 citations
TL;DR: In this article, a poly(acrylic acid), PAA, was prepared by controlled radical polymerization with reversible addition−fragmentation chain transfer using trithiocarbonic acid dibenzyl ester, 1, and trithiamine bis(1-phenylethyl) ester 2, as chain transfer agents (CTA).
Abstract: Poly(acrylic acid), PAA, was prepared by controlled radical polymerization with reversible addition−fragmentation chain transfer. Using trithiocarbonic acid dibenzyl ester, 1, and trithiocarbonic acid bis(1-phenylethyl) ester, 2, as chain transfer agents (CTA), the polymerization is controlled for low ratios [AA]:[CTA]. At higher ratios, the polymerization is plagued by transfer to solvent. Transfer to polymer is also detected at high conversion, as shown by the presence of branches in NMR spectroscopy. In its neutralized form, PAA chains are not all terminated by a thiol end group, as shown by elemental analysis, thiol titration, and MALDI TOF MS. Finally, dispersion of CaCO3, kaolin, and TiO2 using these PAA reveals that the dispersion characteristics are significantly improved using low-polydispersity PAA.
227 citations
TL;DR: The results demonstrate its micellization and the transition between micelles and hollow spheres; both processes were found to be pH-dependent and reversible.
Abstract: pH-Sensitive micelles are usually made from double-hydrophilic block copolymers which can dissolve molecularly in water in a certain pH range and aggregate spontaneously upon an appropriate change in the pH value. Significant advances in this field have been achieved in recent years.[1] Polymeric hollow spheres have great potential for the encapsulation of large quantities of guest molecules. Different approaches, such as by the use of block copolymers as precursors,[2] as well as colloidal particles[3a,b] or liposomes[3c,d] as templates, have been developed to obtain such nanocapsules. Our research group has produced micelles in which no chemical bonds connect the core and the shell,[4] thus enabling hollow spheres to be obtained by simple dissolution of the inner component of the micelles.[4a–c] However, these approaches are mostly irreversible, that is, once the hollow structure forms, the core–shell micelles cannot be reformed. Hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC) has been extensively studied as a nonionic and water-soluble cellulose ether (Scheme 1).[5] However, studies on the self-assembly of HEC are limited, despite its biocompatibility and biodegradability. Here we report the self-assembly of HEC-graftpoly(acrylic acid) (HEC-g-PAA) in water, which was prepared by free-radical graft polymerization of acrylic acid from HEC backbones (Table 1). The results demonstrate its micellization and the transition between micelles and hollow spheres; both processes were found to be pH-dependent and reversible. Figure 1 shows the relative scattering intensity I/I0 of the solutions of two HEC-g-PAA copolymers, CAA-1 and CAA2, as a function of the pH value (I0 is the intensity of the starting solution at pH 13.5). The two solutions exhibit a
227 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, the local apparent dissociation constants of poly(acrylic acid) and poly(allylamine hydrochloride) incorporated in polyelectrolyte multilayer thin films were reported.
Abstract: In this paper, we report on the local apparent dissociation constants of poly(acrylic acid) and poly(allylamine hydrochloride) incorporated in polyelectrolyte multilayer thin films. We assembled 10 polyelectrolyte layers on colloidal silica by the sequential electrostatic adsorption of the polyacid and polybase from aqueous solutions at different pH values and then measured the zeta potential as a function of the solution pH to determine the pKa(app) of each surface layer. The results suggest that the dissociation constant decreases upon adsorption for poly(acrylic acid) and increases in the case of poly(allylamine hydrochloride). These deviations from ideal behavior can be substantial, changing by as much as 4 pH units, and the shifts become more pronounced as the number of adsorbed layers increases. In addition, we found that these pKa(app) shifts are influenced by the pH of the solution used to assemble the thin films but show little dependence on the salt concentration used in the assembly baths.
223 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the effect of polydispersity on the self-assembly of block copolymer aggregates in solution was studied under two sets of conditions: 1.1−2.
Abstract: The effect of polydispersity on the self-assembly of block copolymer aggregates in solution was studied under two sets of conditions. A series of polystyrene-block-poly(acrylic acid) copolymers of an identical polystyrene length of 310 units but of varying degrees of polymerization of the poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) was synthesized. Mixtures of the copolymers were made to artificially broaden the molecular weight distribution of the PAA at a constant number average of 28, in the polydispersity index (PI) range of 1.1−2.1. The samples were dissolved in two different solvent systems (dioxane and a mixture of tetrahydrofuran (THF)/N,N-dimethyl formamide (DMF)), and self-assembly was induced by the slow addition of water. The samples were quenched at a predetermined water content. Transmission electron microscopy and dynamic light scattering were used to measure sizes and size distributions of the aggregates. At a low PAA polydispersity index (PAA PI ∼ 1.1), in the THF/DMF system, large polydisperse vesicles of ...
184 citations
TL;DR: The in vivo study showed that ocular inserts based on thiolated poly(acrylic acid) are promising new solid devices for ocular drug delivery, whereas the fluorescein concentration rapidly decreased after application of aqueous eye drops or insertsbased on unmodified poly(Acrylic acid).
171 citations
TL;DR: In this article, high retention of the carboxylic acid group has been verified by XPS and FT-IR spectroscopy and these films are found to exhibit low water contact angle values and display good adhesive and gas barrier performance.
Abstract: Ultrasonic atomization of acrylic acid monomer into an atmospheric pressure glow discharge (APGD) leads to the deposition of structurally well-defined polymeric films. High retention of the carboxylic acid group has been verified by XPS and FT-IR spectroscopy. These films are found to exhibit low water contact angle values and display good adhesive and gas barrier performance.
167 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, a new cost-effective approach to enhance gel strength of superabsorbent hydrogels was invented, in which the acrylic acid was used as an inorganic component in the polymerization process to strengthen the hydrogel products.
Abstract: A new cost-effective approach to enhance gel strength of superabsorbent hydrogels was invented. Superabsorbent hydrogel composites (SHCs) were prepared through an optimized rapid solution polymerization of concentrated partially neutralized acrylic acid in the presence of a crosslinking agent under normal atmospheric conditions. Kaolin was used as an inorganic component in the polymerization process to strengthen the hydrogel products. FT-IR spectroscopy was used to confirm grafting of acrylic chains on to the surface of kaolin particles. Morphology of the products was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Compared with the kaolin-free hydrogel (control), kaolin caused a reduced equilibrium swelling and swelling rate as low as 17–31% and 19–29%, respectively. Kaolin, however, resulted in enhanced gel strength as high as 21–35% compared to the control. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) were used to study thermal properties of the composites. The SHCs exhibited higher thermal stability than the control. Meanwhile, changes in certain thermal transitions reconfirmed the chemical interaction of the acrylic chain with kaolin. These thermostabilized strengthened superabsorbent hydrogels may be considered as good candidates for agricultural application to retain more water under soil pressure. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
TL;DR: In this article, the effect of polymeric compatibilizers on the properties of the composites was studied by tensile and impact tests, dynamic mechanical analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, morphology studies, and flammability tests.
TL;DR: Aragonite thin films of calcium carbonate are selectively formed on crystalline poly(vinyl alcohol) matrices in the presence of poly(acrylic acid) in CaCO3 solution.
Abstract: Aragonite thin films of calcium carbonate are selectively formed on crystalline poly(vinyl alcohol) matrices in the presence of poly(acrylic acid) in CaCO3 solution. For thin film formation, this i...
TL;DR: In this paper, a UV-assisted photochemical graft polymerization technique was used to produce modified poly(ether sulfone) (PES) ultrafiltration (UF) membranes that exhibit reduced interaction with natural organic matter (NOM), as a route to reduce the fouling caused by NOM.
TL;DR: The galactosylated PET films used as substrates for hepatocyte culture exhibited the optimum concentration and physiological functions and formed aggregates or spheroids after just 1 day of culture.
Patent•
17 Mar 2003
TL;DR: In this paper, a process for purifying a composition containing (meth)acrylic acid, at least one impurity and water, wherein the composition has a water content in the range of 0.55 to 90, based on the composition, was presented.
Abstract: The present invention relates to processes for purifying a composition containing (meth)acrylic acid, at least one impurity and water, wherein the composition has a water content in the range of 0.55 to 90, based on the composition, to form a purified phase containing (meth)acrylic acid and at least one impurity, wherein, in the purified phase, the quantity of at least one impurity is less than 7% by weight, based on (meth)acrylic acid in the purified phase.
TL;DR: In this article, the effect of composition of graft chains of four types cellulose graft copolymers on the competitive removal of Pb 2+, Cu 2+ and Cd 2+ ions from aqueous solution was investigated.
Abstract: The effect of composition of graft chains of four types cellulose graft copolymers on the competitive removal of Pb 2+ , Cu 2+ , and Cd 2+ ions from aqueous solution was investigated. The copolymers used were (1) cellulose-g-polyacrylic acid (cellulose-g-pAA) with grafting percentages of 7, 18, and 30%; (2) cellulose-g-p(AA-NMBA) prepared by grafting of AA onto cellulose in the presence of crosslinking agent of N,N'-methylene bisacrylamide (NMBA); (3) cellulose-g-p(AA-AASO 3 H) prepared by grafting of a monomer mixture of acrylic acid (AA) and 2-acrylamido-2-methyl propane sulphonic acid (AASO 3 H) containing 10% (in mole) AASO 3 H; and (4) cellulose-g-pAASO 3 H obtained by grafting of AASO 3 H onto cellulose. The concentrations of ions which were kept constant at 4 mmol/L in an aqueous solution of pH 4.5 were equal. Metal ion removal capacities and removal percentages of the copolymers was determined. Metal ion removal capacity of cellulose-g-pAA did not change with the increase in grafting percentages of the copolymer and determined to be 0.27 mmol metal ion/ g copolymer . Although the metal removal rate of cellulose-g-p(AA-NMBA) copolymer was lower than that of cellulose-g-pAA, removal capacities of both copolymers were the same which was equal to 0.24 mmol metal ion/g copolymer . Cellulose did not remove any ion under the same conditions. In addition, cellulose-g-pAASO 3 H removed practically no ion from the aqueous solution (0.02 mmol metal ion/g copolymer ). The presence of AASO 3 H in the graft chains of cellulose-g-p(AA-AASO 3 H) created a synergistic effect with respect to metal removal and led to a slight increase in metal ion adsorption capability in comparison to that of cellulose-g-pAA. All types of cellulose copolymers were found to be selective for the removal of Pb 2+ over Cu 2+ and Cd 2+ .
TL;DR: In this paper, the Michael reaction of chitosan with acrylic acid was carried out successfully even in water alone as the reaction medium, as a consequence of its good solubility in water, the reaction product showed excellent biodegradable properties with standard activated sludge.
Abstract: The Michael reaction of chitosan with acrylic acid was carried out successfully even in water alone as the reaction medium. As a consequence of its good solubility in water, the reaction product, N-carboxyethylchitosan showed excellent biodegradable properties with standard activated sludge.
Patent•
06 Oct 2003
TL;DR: In this article, a product gas mixture, comprising acrylic acid, obtained by catalytic, partial, gas phase oxidation of an acrylic acid C3 precursor, is fractionally condensed in a rising, packed separating column after direct cooling with a quenching fluid to give crude acrylic acid as a side stream and the acrylic acid oligomers which are formed are cleaved and the resulting cleaved gasses are subjected to a countercurrent rectification before recycling.
Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the production of acrylic acid. A product gas mixture, comprising acrylic acid, obtained by catalytic, partial, gas-phase oxidation of an acrylic acid C3 precursor, is fractionally condensed in a rising, packed separating column after direct cooling with a quenching fluid to give crude acrylic acid as a side stream and the acrylic acid oligomers which are formed are cleaved and the resulting cleaved gasses are subjected to a counter-current rectification before recycling.
TL;DR: Star-block copolymers (PEO3-b-PAA3) and dendrimer-like copolymer (D-PTA) were derived by a core-first approach as mentioned in this paper.
Abstract: Star-block copolymers (PEO3-b-PAA3) and dendrimer-like copolymers (PEO3-b-PAA6) consisting of three inner poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) arms and either three or six peripheral poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) blocks were derived by a core-first approach. To this end, the OH end groups of three-arm PEO stars prepared anionically were derivatized into either three or six bromo-ester functions that served to grow the poly(tert-butyl acrylate) (PtBA) blocks by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) in a controlled fashion. This could be achieved at 80 °C in toluene in the presence of CuBr/pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (CuBr/PMDETA) as the catalyst system. Characterization by size exclusion chromatography and NMR of star-block copolymers (PEO3-b-PtBA3) and dendrimer-like copolymers (PEO3-b-PtBA6) confirmed their well-defined character. Subsequent treatment with trifluoroacetic acid selectively hydrolyzed the PtBA blocks, leading to the targeted PEO3-b-PAA3 and PEO3-b-PAA6 compounds. Alternatively, an arm-first metho...
TL;DR: After immobilizing HA, the cell proliferation was promoted, the protein adsorption was decreased, and the cell attachment was slightly lower than CS- or COS-grafting PHBV, while the cell number was decrease.
TL;DR: In this article, selective oxidations of propane and propene to acrylic acid were investigated over hydrothermally prepared Mo-V-Te-O and MoV-VTe-Nb-O mixed metal oxide catalysts.
Abstract: Selective oxidations of propane and propene to acrylic acid were investigated over hydrothermally prepared Mo-V-Te-O and Mo-V-Te-Nb-O mixed metal oxide catalysts Mono-phasic crystalline materials were obtained for both catalysts with the same orthorhombic layered structure characterized by sharp peaks at 66, 79, 90, and 222° in XRD (Cu Kα) patterns, so that niobium was not necessary for creating the structure However, the addition of niobium resulted in a clear change in catalyst morphology Long rod-shaped crystals (30–50 μm) in the case of the Mo-V-Te-O system were observed by SEM, whereas aggregates of small cylinder-shaped crystals (300–500 nm length) in the case of the Mo-V-Te-Nb-O system Both catalysts were highly active for the oxidations of propane and propene and both showed almost the same catalytic performance in terms of substrate conversions The results indicate that niobium was not influential in the oxidative activation of propane and propene On the other hand, the selectivity to acrylic acid in both reactions increased by about 15–20% in the niobium-containing catalyst This effect was much clearer at higher conversion We discuss the formation of active orthorhombic structure during the hydrothermal synthesis and the role of niobium on the structure formation and on the catalytic performance of Mo-V-Te-O
TL;DR: Studies using infrared, (1)H and (13)C nuclear magnetic resonance, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies and differential scanning calorimetry support the hypothesis that hydrogen bonds, formed between the carboxylic acid functionality of the mucoadhesive material poly(acrylic acid) and the glycoprotein component of mucus, play a significant role in the process of mucocoadhesion.
TL;DR: In this article, the effects of coupling agent's functional monomer (acrylic acid vs. maleic anhydride) and base resin (polyethylene (PE) vs. polypropylene (PP)) types on the tensile and flexural properties of high-density polyethylene-wood-flour composites were investigated using environmental scanning electron microscope.
Abstract: The performance of fiber reinforced thermoplastic composites strongly depends on solid fiber-matrix adhesion to allow stress transfer between the phases. Fiber surface modification with coupling agents is generally needed to induce bond formation between the fiber and the polymer. This study investigated the effects of coupling agent's functional monomer (acrylic acid vs. maleic anhydride) and base resin (polyethylene (PE) vs. polypropylene (PP)) types on the tensile and flexural properties of high-density polyethylene (HDPE)-wood-flour composites. The interfacial adhesion between wood flour and HDPE matrix was examined using environmental scanning electron microscope. The experimental results indicate that the types of functional monomer and base resin are important factors determining the effectiveness of functionalized coupling agents for HDPE-wood-flour composites. Maleic anhydride-functionalized polyolefins perform better than acrylic acid counterparts whereas PE-based maleated coupling agents are mo...
TL;DR: In this article, the radio frequency plasma technique was used for functionalization and coating of polypropylene (PP) by using acrylic acid as monomer gas, and high concentration of carboxylic groups as well as solvent-stable thin films with good adhesion to the PP substrates could be obtained.
Abstract: Tailor-made surfaces of polymer materials are required, e.g. for the improvement of their printability or adhesion and for many applications concerning medical equipment or life science products. Polypropylene (PP) is one of the few common polymers widely used in technical applications. But often the surface chemistry has to be modified by introducing special chemical functionalities like carboxylic groups or by coating the PP with thin films, e.g. with poly(acrylic acid). The radio frequency plasma technique was used for functionalization and coating of PP by using acrylic acid as monomer gas. After optimization of the plasma parameters, high concentration of carboxylic groups as well as solvent-stable thin films with good adhesion to the PP substrates could be obtained. Characterization of the plasma-modified PP substrates was performed by using the captive bubble method, ESCA (Electron Spectroscopy for Chemical Analysis) and fluorescence spectroscopy in combination with derivatization techniques and FTIR (Fourier Transformation Infrared Spectroscopy). The thickness of the polymer films was analyzed by AFM (Atomic Force Microscopy).
TL;DR: In this article, four different copolymers, of acrylamide and acrylic acid, acrylamide and polypropane sulfonic acid (sodium salts), were prepared and compared with IR, 1H-NMR, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectroscopy.
Abstract: Four different copolymers, of acrylamide and acrylic acid, acrylamide and 2-acrylamido-2-methyl propane sulfonic acid, N,N-dimethylacrylamide and acrylic acid, and N,N-dimethylacrylamide and 2-acrylamido-2-methyl propane sulfonic acid (sodium salts), were prepared. The copolymers were characterized by their intrinsic viscosities and monomer ratios and with IR, 1H-NMR, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectroscopy. No crystallinity was observed by differential thermal analysis, and this was well supported by XRD. All the polymers showed low decomposition temperatures. A number of decomposition temperatures were observed in differential thermogravimetry thermograms because of the elimination of gases such as CO2, SO2, CO, and NH3. The replacement of the acrylate group with a sulfonate group produced polymers that were more compatible with brine, whereas the replacement of acrylamide with a more hydrophobic group such as N,N-dimethylacrylamide produced a more shear-resistant polymer. A N,N-dimethylacrylamide-co-sodium-2-acrylamido-2-methyl propane sulfonate copolymer was better with respect to thermal stability when the polymer solution was aged at 120°C for a period of 1 month. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 87: 1869–1878, 2003
TL;DR: Differences in the microgel ion-exchange capacity account for the differences in the capacity of the microgels to absorb weakly basic anticancer drugs such as mitomycin, mitoxantrone, and doxorubicin.
Abstract: The study dealt with microgels that consist of loosely cross-linked poly(acrylic acid) onto which poly(ethylene oxide)-b-poly(propylene oxide)-b-poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO−PPO−PEO) copolymers such as Pluronic F127 (average composition EO99PO67EO99) or L92 (EO8PO52EO8) segments are grafted. Microgels based on the more hydrophobic Pluronic L92 exhibited highly porous structure, while the microgels containing Pluronic F127 were generally larger and possessed smooth surfaces, a homogeneous structure, and lower ion-exchange capacity. A good correlation was observed between the microgel surface potential obtained from the potentiometric titration data and the independently measured electrophoretic ζ-potential. The differences in the microgel ion-exchange capacity account for the differences in the capacity of the microgels to absorb weakly basic anticancer drugs such as mitomycin, mitoxantrone, and doxorubicin. The uptake of hydrophobic drugs such as Taxol, estradiol, progesterone, and camptothecin was dictated ...
TL;DR: Diblock copolymer polyelectrolyte brushes of either polystyrene (PS) or poly(methyl acrylate) (PMA) and poly(acrylic acid) (PA) were synthesized using sequential monomer addition from a tethered 2.
Abstract: Diblock copolymer polyelectrolyte brushes of either polystyrene (PS) or poly(methyl acrylate) (PMA) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) were synthesized using sequential monomer addition from a tethered 2...
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors present results on the electrolyte additive acrylic acid nitrile (AAN), which allows the use of propylene carbonate (PC)-based electrolytes together with graphitic anodes.
TL;DR: In this article, the grafting of acrylic acid (AA) onto polypropylene (PP) nonwoven fabric was induced by γ-ray irradiation without degassing to obtain PP-g-AA-modified non-woven fabrics were characterized by IR spectroscopy.
Abstract: The grafting of acrylic acid (AA) onto polypropylene (PP) nonwoven fabric was induced by γ-ray irradiation without degassing to obtain PP-g-AA–modified nonwoven fabric. Chitosan was immobilized onto the PP-g-AA–modified nonwoven fabric with 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethyamino propyl) carbidiimide to get the chitosan-containing PP-g-AA–modified nonwoven fabric. The PP-g-AA–modified nonwoven fabrics were characterized by IR spectroscopy. In addition to the absorption peaks associated with pure PP nonwoven fabric, absorption peaks at 1700 cm−1 (CO) and at about 2950 cm−1 for the COOH group were also found for the PP-g-AA–modified nonwoven fabric. The chitosan-containing PP-g-AA nonwoven fabric obtained had an absorption peak at about 1475–1580 cm−1 (CONH), in addition to those of the PP-g-AA nonwoven fabric. The effects of acrylic acid grafting content and chitosan on the wettability and antibacterial assessment were investigated. The wicking time of water on the PP-g-AA–modified nonwoven fabric decreased with increasing acrylic acid grafting content and chitosan, whereas the water content on the PP-g-AA–modified nonwoven fabric increased. Because the concentration of Pseudomonas aeruginosa on the PP-g-AA–modified nonwoven fabric decreased with increasing acrylic acid grafting content and chitosan, it means that the antibacterial activity of the PP nonwoven fabric was enhanced by the modification of γ-ray radiation–induced grafting of acrylic acid and the immobilization of chitosan onto the PP-g-AA–modified nonwoven fabric. © 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 90: 1331–1336, 2003