COMPLEXATION OF RHODIUM ON RADIATION-GRAFTED ACRYLIC-ACID ONTO POLY(TETRAFLUOROETHYLENE-PERFLUOROVINYL ETHER) COPOLYMER FILMS

Radiation-induced graft polymerization of acrylic acid onto poly(tetra fluoroethylene-perfluorovinyl ether) copolymer films has been prepared using gamma-irradiation by the mutual method. The grafted copolymer r apidly complexes with rhodium ions through the carboxylic groups. The complexation process was followed by measuring the variation of the pH of aqueous RhCl3 solution of several concentrations as a function of time. Spectroscopic, electrical, optical, thermal, and diffraction mea surements have been investigated. The results revealed the high stabil ity of the ligand-metal complex formed. Thus, a practical application of the grafted copolymer in the field of rare metal waste treatment is implied. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.