AbstractPoly(glycidyl methacrylate) (PGMA) microbeads were synthesized by a simple suspension polymerization of glycidyl methacrylate and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate. The epoxy groups of the microbeads were firstly modified with 3,3′‐iminodipropionitrile (IDPN) and the resulting nitrile groups were then converted to amidoxime. From scanning electron microscopy studies, the average size of the PGMA microbeads was determined as 170 µm, which was not changed by the modification processes. For the modification of epoxy groups with IDPN, the intensity of the C≡N absorption band at 2249 cm−1 increased proportionally with reaction time; for the conversion of nitrile groups to amidoxime, it decreased. Attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy measurements clearly showed the disappearance of the original nitrile groups and the formation of amidoxime groups through treatment with hydroxylamine under the reaction conditions specified. The microbeads possessed good thermal and morphological properties and chemical stability suitable for practical use. Therefore, the amidoximated PGMA microbeads could be used in batch and continuous processes for the adsorption of uranyl ions from seawater or aqueous media. Copyright © 2010 Society of Chemical Industry