Many excellent volumes have been written on the chemistry of cellulose and its derivatives. Judging by the number of conferences which have been assembled to deal with the topic, cellulose and its derivatives continue to arouse great scientific interest. Matching this interest has been the development in copolymer science and technology. In both instances the driving force has been the search for products having useful, new or interesting properties. It appeared inevitable that these two concepts would be brought together at some time in the research and development of cellulosic copolymers. That time has arrived. In assembling this text our aim was to present an informative account of the chemistry and technology of cellulosic copolymers. As such, we intended that the contents be of interest to all those concerned with the production and use of cellulosic products whether in academic or industrial circles. Sections of the text should be of value in undergraduate and post-graduate teaching, provided the student is given guidance in following the text. The volume is divided into eight chapters, each dealing with factors which are relevant to an under standing of cellulosic copolymers. Each chapter carries its own bibliography and is reasonably self-contained.

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1. The Homopolymeric Species.- 1.1. Introduction.- 1.2. Cellulose.- 1.3. Synthetic Polymers.- 1.4. Vinyl Copolymerization.- 1.5. Molecular Mass Distribution.- 1.6. Polymer Structure.- References.- 2. Vinyl Graft Copolymerization onto Cellulose.- 2.1. Introduction.- 2.2. Conditions Affecting Grafting.- 2.3. Grafting Reactions.- 2.4. Mechanism of Free Radical Formation on Cellulose.- 2.5. Charge-Transfer Mechanism of Grafting.- 2.6. Grafting by Chain Transfer.- 2.7. Grafting by Mechanochemical Activation of Cellulose.- 2.8. Uncatalyzed Grafting.- 2.9. The Kinetics of Radiation-Induced Grafting onto Cellulosics.- References.- 3. Radiation-Induced Grafting onto Cellulosics.- 3.1. Introduction.- 3.2. Grafting by High Energy Radiation.- 3.3. Grafting by low Energy Radiation in the Presence of Sensitizers.- References.- 4. Grafting by Chemical Activation of Cellulose.- 4.1. Introduction.- 4.2. Free-Radical Initiation.- 4.3. Ionic Initiation.- References.- 5. Grafting of other Types of Monomers onto Cellulose.- 5.1. Introduction.- 5.2. Step-Growth Polymerization of Cyclic Compounds.- 5.3. Preformed Polymers.- References.- 6. Grafting on Chemically Modified Celluloses.- 6.1. Introduction.- 6.2. Grafting on Cellulose Xanthogenate.- 6.3. Grafting on Acetylated Cellulose.- 6.4. Grafting on Cyanoethylated Cellulose.- 6.5. Grafting on Partially Carboxymethylated Cellulose.- 6.6. Grafting on Acrylamidomethylated Cellulose.- 6.7. Grafting on Cellulose Treated with N-Methylolacrylamide in an Alkaline Medium.- 6.8. Grafting on Carbamoylethylated Cellulose.- 6.9. Grafting on Cellulose Bearing Carboxymethyl and Cyanoethyl Groups.- 6.10. Grafting on Cellulose Bearing Cyanoethyl and Carboxyethyl Groups.- 6.11. Grafting on Phosphorylated Cellulose.- 6.12. Grafting on Crosslinked Cellulose.- 6.13. Grafting on Aldehyde Cellulose.- 6.14. Grafting onto Methylol Cellulosics.- References.- 7. Characterization and Properties of Cellulose Graft Copolymers.- 7.1. Introduction.- 7.2. Proof of Grafting.- 7.3. Molecular Structure.- 7.4. Morphology.- 7.5. Fine Structure.- 7.6. Properties.- References.- 8. Industrial Application of Cellulose Graft Copolymers.- 8.1. Introduction.- 8.2. Wood-Plastic Composites (WPC).- 8.3. Grafted Textile Products.- 8.4. Grafted Pulps and Papers.- 8.5. Miscellaneous Examples.- References.