Radiation‐induced polymerization of butyl acrylate for recovery of organic solvents

Radiation‐induced polymerization of butyl acrylate using ⁶⁰Co gamma rays has been investigated under different conditions, such as irradiation dose (0–130 kGy), dose rate (10 kGy/h), and temperature (25–70°C). A linear relationship between conversion and temperature of irradiation was found. The activation energy (E) of 9.37 kJ/mol was obtained from kinetic analysis of the result from the polymerization at 10 kGy/h. Thermal properties were examined using differential scanning calorimetry and thermal gravimetric analysis. Efficient extraction of organic solvents including chloroform, chlorobenzene, carbon tetrachloride, benzene, styrene was revealed by the swelling and releasing measurements. These results indicate the feasibility of applying this polymer, which was prepared by radiation‐induced polymerization, to management of organic wastes in the field of environment. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010