Effect of activated carbon in PSF-PEI-Ag symmetric membrane

Abstract

Abstract. Polysulfone (Psf) composite membrane consist of activated carbon, polyethyleneimine and silver nitrate was prepared by phase inversion. The activated carbon (AC) act as adsorbent to adsorb heavy metal present in synthetic waste water while polysulfone membrane act as support. Phase inversion was carried out on different composition of activated carbon from 0 to 0.9% while other component are remain constant. The surface morphology of composite membrane was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) while heavy metal absorption was quantified by atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS). The SEM image show symmetric membrane matrix with sponge structure. The composite membrane with 0.9wt% AC has the highest water flux as well as removal of heavy metal (chromium, lead, silver and cadmium) compare to composite membrane with 0.3wt% AC and 0.5wt% AC. The percentage of heavy metal reduction by composite membrane 0.9wt% AC was 35% cadmium, 19% chromium, 16% silver and 2% lead. The result indicated that the introduction of 0.9wt% AC indeed plays an important role towards enhancing the adsorption of heavy metal in water.

Removal of heavy metals and pollutants by membrane adsorption techniques

“…Zheng et al (2014) the Langmuir model with a maximum adsorption capacity of 161.29 mg Cu 2+ /g of the membrane. Said et al (2015) fabricated active carbon (AC) membrane supported on polysulfone (PSF) composite membrane that consisted of polyethyleneimine and silver nitrate via phase inversion. The activated carbon (AC) acted as adsorbent to adsorb heavy metal present in synthetic waste water.…”

Heavy metal removal applications using adsorptive membranes

“…Carbonaceous materials (carbon nanotubes (CNTs), active carbon (AC), and graphene) are known as potential counterparts in polymer-based composites owing to their high aspect ratio, mechanical strength, compatibility of the carbon matrix with the polymeric structure, and strong interactions and adhesion [113][114][115]. Polysulfone (PSf )/AC composite membrane was fabricated by Said et al [116] and showed that the concentration of AC plays a grave role in support of enhancing heavy metal removal from water. Compared with the above carbonaceous materials, owing to the presence of numerous functional surface groups, graphene oxide (GO) was more widely employed in polymer matrices to enhance heavy metal removal with both high surface area and water solubility [113].…”

Surface-modified ultrafiltration and nanofiltration membranes for the selective removal of heavy metals and inorganic groundwater contaminants: a review

“…A similar structure was observed in an MMM developed by mixing activated carbon (AC), polyethyleneimine, and silver nitrate, which resulted in 35% Cd 2+ adsorption. 165 Further, enhanced elimination of both Cd 2+ and Cu 2+ up to 97% was obtained using polycarbonate (PC) with hydrous manganese oxide (HMO) and alumina nanoparticles in an MMM. The nanoparticles provided higher active adsorption sites and removal for cadmium ions at elevated pH values, whereas they tend to form a positively charged layer at acidic pH, reducing the adsorption efficiency.…”

“…164 The mixed matrix approach was also applied by adding activated carbon to the polymer matrix via NIPS. 165 These membranes could target more than 88% pollutant removal. Sam et al demonstrated the green synthesis of CQDs from oats.…”