To introduce functional moieties to a poly32#(tetrafluoroethylene-co-perfluorovinyl ether) film, graft copolymerization of vinyl monomers such as acrylic acid was attempted by a simultaneous technique in aqueous solution using gamma-irradiation. The graft copolymers were complexed with the Fe(III) in aqueous solution. The grafted copolymer-metal complexes were examined by infrared (IR), ultraviolet/visible, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and electron spin resonance techniques. The effect of temperature on the trunk copolymer, untreated grafted, and treated grafted copolymer films was investigated by IR and thermogravimetric analysis. The overall results suggest octahedral structure for Fe(III) and revealed the high stability of the obtained ligand-metal complexes. Furthermore, scanning electron microscope investigation of the grafted and modified films, both unheated and heated (200 degrees C), showed changes in the structure and surface morphology. Promising results were achieved enhancing the practical applications of modified grafted membranes in the recovery of metal ions from aqueous systems. (c) 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.