Development of functional adsorbent from PU foam waste via radiation induced grafting I: Process parameter standardization

Mutual radiation grafting process has been used to covalently link polymer chains of poly(acrylic acid) to polyurethane foam waste using 60Co-gamma radiation source. Various experimental parameters were investigated in order to optimize the grafting process. The grafted samples have been characterized for water-uptake, surface morphology and thermal stability. Grafting extent increased with dose, dose rate and monomer concentration but decreased with increase in density of PU foam. The matrix grafted up to an extent of ∼90% showed uptake capacity of 220 mg/g (0.09 mol of dye/mol of acrylic acid) for a monovalent dye (basic red 29) within 3 h of contact time in a batch process.

► PU foam waste inherently inert and large volume generated.
► Waste converted to a hydrophilic adsorbent by radiation induced grafting of acrylic acid.
► Parameters standardized to obtain adsorbent of desired grafting extent.
► Grafted product show high and fast uptake of model dye.