Polyethersulfone membrane enhanced with iron oxide nanoparticles for copper removal from water: Application of new functionalized Fe3O4 nanoparticles

Abstract

Surface modification of Fe3O4 nanoparticles was performed by immobilizing silica, metformine, and amine. Mixed matrix PES nanofiltration membrane was prepared by embedding various concentrations of the modified Fe3O4 based nanoparticles. The membranes were characterized in terms of morphology and performance including investigation of SEM and AFM microphotographs, water contact angle, mean pore size and porosity measurements and determination of pure water flux as well as copper ion removal. Embedding iron oxide nanoparticles resulted in a significant rise in the pure water flux as a result of changes in the mean pore radius, porosity and hydrophilicity of the membranes. Moreover, the copper removal capability of prepared membranes remarkably increased because of improved hydrophilicity and also presence of nucleophilic functional groups on nanoparticles. The membrane fabricated with 0.1 wt.% metformine-modified silica coated Fe3O4 nanoparticles showed the highest copper removal (about 92%) due to high affinity in copper adsorption. Moreover, acceptable reusability was found for the membrane with the best performance after several times of usage/regeneration cycles usin EDTA as eluting agent.

Nanoscale Clustering and Magnetic Properties of Mn x Fe3−x O4 Particles Prepared from Natural Magnetite

“…Magnetic nanomaterials are highly desirable due to the enormous possibilities they offer in a broad range of applications in biomedical applications [1], photothermal therapy [2], as radiosensitizers in cancer therapy [3], in hydrophobic drug delivery [4], as supercapacitors [5], in copper removal from water [6], as adsorbents of toxic heavy metals [7], and many others. Among the magnetic nanomaterials, magnetite (Fe 3 O 4 ) nanoparticles are the most extensively studied because they can be manipulated and controlled with an external magnetic field.…”

A Comprehensive Review on Polymeric Nano-Composite Membranes for Water Treatment

“…Zeta potential greatly influences membranes performance and determines extent of fouling [220][221][222][223]. Higher zeta potential means less chance of fouling due to greater repulsion between negative surface charge of membrane and hydrophobic foulants (e.g.…”

Iron oxide nanoparticles improved biocompatibility and removal of middle molecule uremic toxin of polysulfone hollow fiber membranes

“…The results of PWP and BSA rejection of the PSf/Fe 2 O 3 MMMs are shown in Figure (a). The improvement in PWP especially at 0.02 and 0.05 wt % Fe 2 O 3 NPs loadings could be attributed to the hydrophilic nature of Fe 2 O 3 NPs, which vitally enhanced the membranes' water transport properties . This result may also due to the well distribution of Fe 2 O 3 NPs in the membrane matrix, where the remarkable surface area of embedded Fe 2 O 3 NPs was able to accommodate and facilitate more water molecules .…”