Abstract
Chitosan (CS) was successfully grafted with maleic acid (MA) in 1% acetic acid solution by using potassium persulfate (KPS) as the initiator. The grafting yield (GY) up to 84.25 % and grafting efficiency (GE) of 64.82 % were achieved. The formation of grafted chitosan was confirmed with usual spectroscopic methods and thermal analysis. The raw grafted chitosan was mixed with Na+, Mg2+ and Ca2+ in aqueous hydroxide solution and K+ in aqueous chromate solution. The reaction mixtures were separated from excess unreacted maleic acid and characterized as a reacted grafted chitosan. The results showed a new form of maleic grafted chitosan after the reaction with metals. Also, grafted of CS with MA provide a promising set of materials for potential slow release fertilizer applications.