In this study, enhanced cation exchange capacity of polystyrene (PS) electrospun fibers by electron beam irradiation was investigated. PS spinning solutions were prepared by dissolving 25 wt% PS in 75 wt% mixed solvents (dimethylacetamide (DMAc)/tetrahydrofuran (THF)) at the ratio of 33/67% v/v with divinylbenzene (DVB; 0, 1, 2 phr)　as crosslink agent. The PS electrospun fibers were carried out at doses of 0 (control), 100 and 200 kGy. The ion exchange capacity (IEC) of PS electrospun fibers depend on the DVB concentration and irradiation dose. The PS electrospun fiber with DVB 1 phr at dose of 150 kGy showed the maximum IEC of 4.670 mmol/g.

Cellulose is the most useful feedstock in the world that could be used to prepare new kinds of materials, and cellulose derivatives have potential application as functional polymers. Due to the present of hydroxyl groups, cellulose is considered to be an excellent material for surface modification. Among the chemical modification method, Graft copolymerization is a well-established and commonly used technique for modification of polymer surface. In this study, sulfonated GMA-g-cellulose ion exchange fibers were synthesized by gamma-ray mutual radiation. The conversion of epoxy groups into the functional groups was investigated. Factors affecting on grafting process such as radiation dose, monomer concentration, added salt and cross-linking agent were studied.