Radiation processing of polymers; Metal ion adsorbent and biodegradable material

Tamada, Masao

Useful materials for the environmental preservation were synthesized by the radiation-induced graft polymerization and the crosslinking reaction. In the graft polymerization, the fabric adsorbent for metal ions can be synthesized by using the nonwoven as a trunk polymer. Adsorption rate of the resulting adsorbent are 100 times higher than the resin adsorbent and handling is more convenient. This advanced adsorbent led the cadmium removal from the scallop processing waste, the purification of the incinerator washing water, the collection of the uranium in seawater, and the collection of scandium from the hot-spring water. Moreover, the biodegradable material obtained by the radiation crosslinking is used as the bedsore prevention mat and absorbent for excess water from livestock excrements. The thermal property of polylactic acid can be improved by the radiation crosslinking, and the biodegradable heat-shrinkable tube was developed.