A novel ultrafiltration grade nickel iron oxide doped hollow fiber mixed matrix membrane: Spinning, characterization and application in heavy metal removal

• Published in: Separation and purification technology Vol. 188; pp. 155 - 166
• Main Authors: Mondal, Mrinmoy, Dutta, Madhurima, De, Sirshendu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 29.11.2017
• Subjects: Adsorption; Heavy metal removal; Hollow fiber; Mixed matrix membrane; Ultrafiltration; Mixed matrix membrane; Ultrafiltration; Heavy metal removal; Adsorption; Hollow fiber
• ISSN: 1383-5866; 1873-3794
• DOI: 10.1016/j.seppur.2017.07.013

•Hollow fiber membrane became more hydrophilic and porous with addition of NFO.•At pH 9, zeta potential of mixed matrix membrane (3wt%) was −16mV.•A battery plant effluent having lead was successfully treated.•Membranes could be regenerated using acid treatment (0.1NHCl).•There was no leaching of nanoparticles from MMM hollow fibers. Nickel iron oxide nanoparticle incorporated hollow fiber mixed matrix membrane was prepared to achieve high throughput as well as high selectivity for heavy metals. The fibers were characterized in terms of their morphology, permeability, molecular weight cut off, zeta potential, surface roughness and adsorption capacity of various toxic heavy metal species. Scanning electron micrograph images showed that the tear drop-like pores in cross section of the fibers were changed into finger-like macropores on addition of nanoparticles. Porosity and pore size in the fibers increased with nanoparticle concentration. Membrane permeability increased almost twice by addition of 3wt% nanoparticles compared to pure polysulfone membrane. Similar concentration of nanoparticles made the membrane more hydrophilic reducing its contact angle from 77° to 64° and at the same time, molecular weight cut off of the hollow fibers increased from 17kDa to 34kDa. Surface zeta potential of the fibers decreased with pH and the membrane with 3wt% nanoparticles showed a surface potential about −16mV at pH 9. The maximum adsorption capacity of membrane with 3wt% nanoparticles was the highest for lead (52mg/g) followed by copper (42mg/g), zinc (35mg/g) and cadmium (24mg/g). Nickel (17.5mg/g) and chromium (18mg/g) had comparable adsorption capacity. Thus, the mixed matrix membrane developed in this study has significant potential in removal of heavy metals from aqueous solution.