Synthesis of ion exchange film based on chemical grafting of styrene onto polyethylene/EPDM rubber blend for thorium removal.

Chemical grafting of low-density polyethylene film blended with ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber (PE/EPDM) using styrene monomer followed by a sulfonation process was investigated. Different factors affecting the grafting process, such as monomer and initiator concentrations, time of reaction, and grafting temperature, were studied. Sulfonation of the grafted films was carried out using chlorosulfonic acid in dichloromethane.