Nanostructured hybrid membrane polysulfone-carbon nanotubes for hemodialysis

The obtaining of nanofunctionalized membranes is one of the newer trends for enhancing the performances of the membrane processes. In this paper, the results concerning the synthesis of new polymeric-carbon nanotube composite membranes based on polysulfone with different types of nanotubes, single wall (SWNT) and double wall (DWNT), are shown with applications in medical field of advanced separations of heavy metal from blood or other physiological liquids (Pb and Hg). At a maximum concentration of carbon nanotubes (5% against polymer), the maximum adsorption capacity of lead on membrane with single wall carbon nanotube is 49.2 mg/dm(2) and for membrane with double wall carbon nanotube (covalent interaction) is 56.2 mg/dm(2). A study about the dependence of adsorption capacity on the concentration of carbon nanotube in polymer was performed. The materials were characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and the results of hemodialysis-adsorption of the heavy metals on the nanotubes surface were investigated by atomic adsorption method.