The grafting of diethylene glycol dimethacrylate (PEGDMA-2) onto silk fibers in aqueous systems using potassium persulfate (KPS) under air was investigated. Effects of grafting conditions, such as concentrations of monomers (M), initiators, formic acid (FA) and OP (an emulsor), temperature and time, on the graft yield were determined. The optimum graft conditions were found: T = 80 ℃, t = 30 min, [KPS] = 1.85% (owm), [OP] = 1% (owf), [FA] = 0.2% (V/V) and [M] = 80% (owf). The activation energy of grafting at 50～80 ℃ was found to be 86.94 kJ/mol for PEGDMA-2. The graft yield could be regulated by the concentration of monomer.

Key words: SILK, GRAFT COPOLUMERIZATION, METHYLPROPENOIC ACID ESTER, POTASSIUM PERSULFATE, ACTIVATION ENERGY