Polystyrene was grafted on carbon foam with a melted polypropylene film predeposited on the surface. Polystyrene was subsequently sulfonated by chlorosulfonic acid. The effect of the temperature, time of grafting and concentration of radical initiator was studied. The materials were characterized by IR spectroscopy, thermogravimetry. SEM analysis and ion exchange titration. The prepared foams possess a high acidity and stability of the coating. The prepared materials were tested in the fructose dehydration in a biphasic system in a rotating foam reactor. The activity and selectivity are similar to the conventional catalyst Amberlyst-15. The prepared materials offer advantages in catalyst separation and reusage. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.