Zeolite-polysulfone-based adsorptive membrane for removal of metal pollutants

The present study highlights the development of a zeolite-polysulfone (Zeo-PSf) supported membrane to assess its potential for the treatment of heavy metal ions in aqueous solutions. Surface morphology, chemical compositions, pore size, and hydrophilicity of the Zeo-PSf composite membrane have been investigated using scanning electron microscope, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence, porometer, and water contact angle measurement. Moreover, the copper ion dimension was measured using dynamic light scattering analysis. Continuous filtration experiment was carried out using the cross-flow system under different conditions of polymer concentration (15-21 wt%), zeolite loading (2.5-15.0 wt%), transmembrane pressure (0.5-2.5 bar), inlet flow rate (0.1-0.7 L/min), and initial copper concentrations (10-100 mg/L). Moreover, a reusability study was performed to examine the optimum rejection rate and filtration flux for copper ions. Among all fabricated membranes, the Zeo-PSf membrane having 15.0 wt% zeolite along with 0.1 L/min flow rate achieved 96.4% copper rejection at 0.5 bar under 24.5 L/m(2) h flux. The results of the regeneration study revealed that the Zeo-PSf composite membrane can be effectively used up to ten cycles without any impact on its removal performance in terms of leaching and fouling.