Bis[2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl] phosphate radiografted into track-etched PVDF for uranium (VI) determination by means of cathodic stripping voltammetry

We report the radiation grafting of bis[2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl] phosphate (B2MP) through electron-beam onto PVDF films and through swift heavy ions (SHI) irradiations into the pores of track-etched PVDF membranes. Radiolytically produced radicals were studied using EPR. To adapt the radiation grafting protocol inside the nanopores of track-etched membranes, the electron-beam irradiated films at varying monomer concentrations, doses and solvent mixtures were first studied. It was found that track-etched membranes, even after 1 h of chemical treatment, do not require a post-etching irradiation to initiate free-radical polymerization of B2MP from remaining radiationinduced radicals. The presence of functional groups inside the nanopores of the membrane were examined using FTIR and XPS. After exposure of B2MP-g-PVDF membranes to a uranyl solution, XPS was also exploited to evidence of O2UO22+ trapping inside the membrane nanoporosity by tracking the presence of U 4f peak. The B2MP-g-PVDF membranes were converted into electrodes by depositing 35 nm of gold on each side through a mask. Detection of ppb concentrations (from 20 to 100 ppb) of uranyl by B2MP-g-PVDF membrane electrodes was demonstrated by means of square wave cathodic stripping voltammetry (SW-CSV). The limit of detection (LOD) was estimated to be 17 ppb (3σ−/ slope).