Preparation of crown ether derivative-impregnated fiber based on the radiation-induced emulsion graft polymerization for rapid analysis of Sr-90

Horita, Takuma ; Asai, Shiho; Hanzawa, Yukiko  ; Saito, Kyoichi*; Fujiwara, Kunio*; Sugo, Takanobu*; Kitatsuji, Yoshihiro  

There has been an increasing demand for rapid analysis of Sr to ensure a prompt action against the contaminated water in the Fukushima Daiichi NPP. Precedent works demonstrated that Cs adsorption fibers prepared by utilizing graft polymerization technology achieved high-speed removal of Cs in the contaminated water. In this study, we have investigated the applicability of such proven technology to the preparation of a Sr adsorption fiber specialized for the selective extraction of Sr. In the prepared fiber, an extractant for Sr,dicyclohexano-18-crown-6-ether (DCH18C6) was impregnated via hydrophobic interaction between DCH18C6 and the hydrophobic polymer chains attached onto the surface of the fiber. To increase the adsorption capacity, emulsion graft polymerization which promotes the polymer chains to grow longer was applied. The densely-packed DCH18C6 inside the interfacial phase formed by the polymer chains facilitates the efficient adsorption. The amounts of Sr adsorbed is comparable to those of conventional adsorbents, indicating that the prepared fiber has a feasible performance for Sr adsorption.