Novel polyvinylidene fluoride nanofiltration membrane blended with functionalized halloysite nanotubes for dye and heavy metal ions removal.
Membrane separation is an effective method for the removal of hazardous materials from wastewater. Halloysite nanotubes (HNTs) were functionalized with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES), and novel polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) nanofiltration membranes were prepared by blending with various concentrations of APTES grafted HNTs (A-HNTs). The morphology structure of the membranes were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The contact angle (CA), pure water flux (PWF) and antifouling capacity of membranes were investigated in detail. In addition, the separation performance of membranes were reflected by the removal of dye and heavy metal ions in simulated wastewater. The results revealed that the hydrophilicity of A-HNTs blended PVDF membrane (A-HNTs@PVDF) was enhanced significantly. Owing to the electrostatic interaction between membrane surface and dye molecules, the dye rejection ratio of 3% A-HNTs@PVDF membrane reached 94.9%. The heavy metal ions rejection ratio and adsorption capacity of membrane were also improved with the addition of A-HNTs. More importantly, A-HNTs@PVDF membrane exhibited excellent rejection stability and reuse performances after several times fouling and washing tests. It can be expected that the present work will provide insight into a new method for membrane modification in the field of wastewater treatment.
State Key Laboratory of Oil & Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploitation, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610500, PR China; College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610500, PR China; Oil & Gas Field Applied Chemistry Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610500, PR China.
Guangyong
G
Zeng
State Key Laboratory of Oil & Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploitation, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610500, PR China; College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610500, PR China; Oil & Gas Field Applied Chemistry Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610500, PR China. Electronic address: heyi@swpu.edu.cn.
Yi
Y
He
State Key Laboratory of Oil & Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploitation, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610500, PR China; College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610500, PR China.
Yingqing
Y
Zhan
State Key Laboratory of Oil & Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploitation, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610500, PR China; College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610500, PR China.
Lei
L
Zhang
State Key Laboratory of Oil & Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploitation, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610500, PR China; College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610500, PR China.
Yang
Y
Pan
State Key Laboratory of Oil & Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploitation, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610500, PR China; College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610500, PR China.
Chunli
C
Zhang
State Key Laboratory of Oil & Gas Reservoir Geology and Exploitation, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610500, PR China; College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Southwest Petroleum University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610500, PR China.
Zongxue
Z
Yu
A-HNTs; Hydrophilicity; Nanofiltration membranes; Reuse performances; Wastewater treatment