preparation of ion exchange resins of PVA grafted with citric or succinic acid using radiation

Solutions of different concentrations of poly ( vinyl alcohol) and citric acid or succinic acid were prepared. The solutions were exposed to doses up to 100 kGy. Some parameters of the prepared gels had been studied as: Maximal swelling, gel fraction, strain %, tensile strength, and ion-uptake of some metal ions (Cu, Ni, Co). The data show that the maximal swelling of the prepared gels increases by increasing the absorbed dose. The gel fraction of gels increases also by increasing the absorbed dose for both acids. Increasing of the acid concentration causes a lowering of the swelling and the gel fraction of the gels. The mechanical measurements show that the stress at break of the prepared gels increases by increasing the absorbed dose for both acids. Further, The strain decreases by increasing the absorbed dose. The concentration of the acids does not affect these parameters significantly. The ion uptake of copper ions increases by increasing the absorbed dose; the ion uptake of nickel and cobalt ions increases also by increasing acid concentration. This can be explained by increasing of the reactive acidic centers bonded to the polymer backbone. (author)