TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - POLYMERS - Preferred Method: The process involves chopping and dry cleaning Isopor (RTM: expanded polystyrene), through high pressure air jets; purging the solution, expanded polystyrene + 1-2 dichloroethane, with nitrogen in order to add the acetyl sulfate solution, which is responsible for the sulfonation of polystyrene, which is then maintained at the same initial temperature of 40-60degrees C, under stirring for a period of at least 2 hours; controlling sulfonation degree and reaction termination by adding 2-propanol, at any time; maintaining the sulfonated polystyrene under stirring until it reaches room temperature; dropping the compound in boiling water, where generated gases and potential residues of previously used solvents are dragged by liquid filters (condensation), which provide retrieval and recycling of potential gases (solvents) that pollute the environment; washing polymer in flakes form, in boiling water for 2 hours or until adequate purity is obtained; filtering it and washing again in absolute methanol and subsequently drying in a vacuum stove at a temperature of 50degrees C for five days; determining the sulfonation degree through a titration process, which dissolves the sulfonated polystyrene in a mixture of toluene and methanol; bubbling this solution with nitrogen for the required time in order to remove any existing carbon dioxide; using sodium hydroxide for titrating the polymer in solution, using phenolphthalein as indicator; using materials derived from the periodic table as basis for neutralization or incorporation of the metal ion to the acid matrix of sulfonated polystyrene, which in its final form, present as hydroxides and acetates, and are easily dissolved in a given solvent mixture; obtaining higher efficiency in ionic incorporation, by working with an additional of 10% of neutralizing propellers, even if the reaction is known to be stoichiometric; dissolving sulfonated polystyrene in mixture of toluene and methanol; dissolving the neutralizing propellers in methanol or in a mixture of methanol with a minimal amount of water; dropping it into the sulfonated polystyrene solution, which is maintained under stirring for at least 30 minutes or until the neutralizing agent is fully incorporated; and neutralizing sulfonated polystyrene with the ion of interest, thus resulting in a liquid, solid or gel product. EXAMPLE - No suitable example given.