Radiation-induced eco-compatible sulfonated starch/acrylic acid graft copolymers for sucrose hydrolysis

► Eco-compatible sulfonated starch/acrylic acid graft copolymers were prepared using gamma radiation. ► Sulfonated starch/acrylic acid (SS/AA) copolymer was used for hydrolysis of sucrose to glucose and fructose. ► The catalytic activity of the copolymers was found to be dependent on the reaction temperature and sulfonated starch/acrylic acid graft copolymers compositions. ► The catalytic activity increases as the reaction temperature, sulfonated starch feed solution content and pore size structure increases. ► The prepared SS/AA copolymers could be considered as catalytic reagent for sucrose hydrolysis.