Effect of tanning agents in the grafting of vinyl polymers in collagen

Abstract

The influencc of tanning agents on the grafting of methyl methacrylate onto collngen has been investigated. The results obtained indicated that zirconium and aluminium tanning lead to increased degree of grafting; where as chromium, syntan and vegetable tannages lead to a decrease in percentage grafting. Although Ce (IV) has been shown to oxidise the Cr (III) complexes that are involved in talnning, percentage grafting is not rcduced very much. More than the competition of tanning agents for grafting sites, the initiator tanning agent reactions govern mainly the grafting efficiency.