Development of Novel Adsorbents and Membranes by Radiation-Induced Grafting for Selective Separation Purposes

Radiation-induced grafting is a powerful technique for the preparation of novel materials based on easily available and low cost synthetic and natural polymers. The materials to be developed by radiation-induced grafting include special adsorbents and membranes for use in environmental and industrial applications.

Arising from the recommendation for further research and in the light of technical issues and deliberations among the participants ”of the 7th “International Symposium on “Ionizing Radiation and Polymers (IRaP 2006)”, one of the most important international scientific events in the field of radiation processing, held from 23 to 28 September 2006, in Antalya, Turkey, and the inputs provided by the follow-up CS meeting on “Radiation-induced Grafting of Polymers” held from 29 September to 3 October 2006 in the same venue, the present CRP on “Development of Novel Adsorbents and Membranes by Radiation-Induced Grafting for Selective Separation Purposes” has been formulated.

The CRP will focus on research to address problems relating to the following priority areas:

Development of adsorbents for the efficient removal of heavy metal ions from contaminated and wastewaters.
Adsorbents suitable for the collection and recovery of significant metal ions.
Development of adsorbents for the removal of undesired anions from aqueous systems
Development of low cost membranes with improved durability and performance characteristics for potential applications in fuel cell fabrication.
Development of methods for the preparation of membranes with 1-50nm pore sizes and functionalization of inner pore surfaces.