Preparation, properties and selectivity characteristics of a novel cation exchanger prepared by gamma-irradiation of phosphoenolpyruvic acid (PPA) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE)

A novel cation exchanger was prepared using radiation-induced graft copolym erization of phosphoenolpyruvic acid (PPA) and low-density polyethylene pel lets (LDPE). Swelling behavior, electrical conductivity and ion exchange pr operties of the copolymer prepared were studied. The selectivity of the pre pared cation exchanger towards ZrO2+, UO22+ and Pu4+ was studied as a funct ion of HClO4 concentration at 25 degreesC. The selectivity decreases in the Pu4+ > ZrO2+ > UO22+ at 1.5 M HClO4. At lower acidity, Zr4+ was not retain ed by the exchanger. The relation between log[HClO4] and log distribution c oefficient is linear, with a slope nearly equal to the valence of the excha ngeable ions. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.