Removal of Copper Ions from Aqueous Solution with a Weak Cation Exchanger by Radiation-Induction Grafting Acrylic Acid onto Polypropylene Fiber

A carboxylic acid chelating fiber with high adsorption capacity for copper ions was prepared by grafting acrylic acid onto polypropylene fiber using pre-irradiation method. Effects of reaction conditions such as pH, initial copper concentration and adsorption time were discussed. The results showed that carboxylic acid chelating fiber is effective for the removal of copper ions in the range of pH=4.0-7.0. The chelating fiber also showed much higher capacities for copper, the equilibrium adsorption amount could be 24.35 mg/g for copper adsorption This chelating fibers exhibited good potential application in removal of copper ions in aqueous solution.