Radiation grafting of vinyl ether of monoethanolamine on polypropylene films for application in waste water treatment

Abstract

The radiation-chemical grafting of the vinyl ether of monoethanolamine as a cationic monomer on polypropylene films has been studied. Water uptake and degree of grafting were determined gravimetrically and using FTIR methods. The dependence of the grafting process on water and hexane addition to the monomer mixture has been investigated. The prepared graft copolymers of different grafting degrees and with cationic character were investigated for their properties in removing heavy toxic metals, such as Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, Zn²⁺, Fe³⁺, Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺, Co²⁺ and Ag⁺, from waste water. The kinetics of the sorption/desorption process for Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺ and Co²⁺, and factors affecting the metals treatment process, like the pH of the metal solution and the degree of grafting, have been studied.