Characterization of phosphorylated natural rubber as thorium bio-adsorbent prepared by radiation-induced graft polymerization

Abstract Bio-adsorbent modified natural rubber (NR) was prepared by radiation-induced graft polymerization of glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) onto NR seed particle in a latex form using gamma irradiation at a dose of 5–100 kGy followed by subsequent chemical modification with phosphoric acid by ring-opening of epoxy. The adsorbent was characterized with Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR- FTIR), 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (1HNMR), Thermogravimetry Analyzer (TGA), and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM-EDX). In addition, the effect of volume ratio GMA-emulsion to latex at different radiation doses during grafting polymerization was studied in order to attain optimal grafting condition. The goal of this research is to produce a material capable of removing Th4+ ion from aqueous solutions. The effects of the initial concentration on adsorption capacity was presented. This study introduces a new step in the modification as an added value to the NR in Th4+ removal application.