Phthalate esters removal using modified fiber prepared by two-step electron beam irradiation of methacrylate monomer onto polypropylene substrate

A novel modified polypropylene-methacrylate fiber (PP-g-(AA+BMA)) was prepared by grafting acrylic acid (AA) and butyl methacrylate (BMA) onto the polypropylene (PP) fiber substrate using a two-step electron beam irradiation method. It was used as a sorbent to recover high concentrations of phthalate esters (PAEs) from water. AA was first grafted onto PP substrate by electron beam, and then the pretreated PP was soaked into BMA solution and the loaded monomer was grafted on the PP substrate by electron beam induced. Fourier transform infrared spectra and contact angle (CA) were employed to characterize the chemical changes of PP substrate. In addition, the effect of the first and the second reactions on the degree of grafting was studied. The results indicated that the PP-g-(AA+BMA) could successfully be used to remove PAEs from water, leading to superior improvement of environmental preservation.