Title
Functional cellulosic filter papers prepared by radiation-induced graft copolymerization for chelation of rare earth elements
Authors
SAYED M. BADAWY

Received December 12, 2015
Published Volume 51 Issue 5-6 May-June
Keywords functional filter paper, radiation, graft copolymerization, chelation, X-ray fluorescence

Abstract
Functional cellulosic filter papers containing chelating groups were developed by radiation-induced graft copolymerization of acrylonitrile onto cellulosic filter paper, followed by the amidoximation reaction for chelation of rare earth elements (REEs). The obtained functional filter papers were characterized by Fourier transform infrared analysis (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The presence of the functional groups was proven by FTIR spectra analysis. XRD and SEM showed that the grafting process did not break down the orientation and crystallinity of the fibers. TGA indicated the thermal stability of the functional filter paper at temperatures below 200 °C. The functional filter papers were investigated for the chelation of rare earth elements from the monazite mineral prior to qualitative determination by wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence (XRF) via characteristic L X-ray lines.