A novel approach to chelating aurum (Au) by modified polypropylene (PP) was developed. Photo-induced grafting polymerization of acrylic acid (AA) on PP was carried out first

followed by anionic ring-opening polymerization of caprolactam on the above modified film to introduce PA6 chains onto the PP films.By this method

functional groups containing N and O were introduced on PP films. Because these functional groups and chloroauric acid formed the ion-association complex in acid solution

the prepared PP film was used to chelate Au. The obtained films after each treatment step were characterized with attenuated total reflectance (ATR)IR spectroscopy

scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) techniques.After chelating Au

the concentration of Au in the solution decreased from 1 mg/mL to 2.58 μg/mL. The results showed that the films prepared possessed good effect on chelating Au. This study suggested a new approach of chelating Au by modified PP which may have potential applications in reclaiming noble metals from smelt waste water.