Radiation- and Radical-Induced Graft Copolymers for Environmental Remediation and Separation Technologies

Abstract

Modern separation and purification technologies increasingly require materials that combine high selectivity, chemical robustness, and long-term operational stability without compromising mechanical performance. Radiation- and radical-induced graft copolymerization addresses this need by generating radical sites on polymer backbones and introducing tailored functional groups through subsequent monomer grafting. Retention of bulk properties, however, depends on controlling radiation dose, polymer structure, oxygen, and irradiation conditions so that grafting is favored over chain scission, crosslinking, and embrittlement. This review critically examines recent grafting strategies for gas and liquid separation, water treatment, radionuclide management, and resource recovery. It relates radical generation, graft growth, structural control, and functional-group chemistry to material performance and process optimization. Attention is given to radiation-induced grafting and its integration with controlled radical polymerization, especially reversible addition–fragmentation chain-transfer polymerization, to regulate graft density, chain length, and architecture. Composite and interfacial approaches are also evaluated. The review discusses the requirements and remaining barriers to practical translation, including dose optimization, long-term stability, regeneration, reproducibility, scalability, and the need for techno-economic and life-cycle assessments.