Molecularly imprinted membranes (MIMs) for selective removal of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in environmental waters: fabrication and characterization.
Molecularly imprinted membranes (MIMs) with selective removal properties for polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were prepared through the phase inversion technique. The MIMs were obtained from casting the viscous solutions of molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs), polysulfone (PSf), and N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) as the casting solvent. Different membranes were prepared at different concentration of MIPs and PSf. The resulting MIMs were characterized by atomic force microscope (AFM), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Moreover, the performance of the membranes was evaluated by determining and interpreting the rejection (%), flux (F), permeability coefficient (P), permselectivity factor ( α'PCB/DDT or anthracene), and enrichment factors of PCBs, dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (p,p'-DDT), and anthracene from model contaminated water using the dead-end filtration cell. Molecularly imprinted membrane prepared with 18 wt% PSf and 20 wt% MIP 4 exhibited a well-defined porous structure, which was accompanied by enhanced PCB enrichment. Furthermore, molecularly imprinted membrane showed good enrichment factors for PCBs even from spiked natural water samples of Hartbeespoort dam.
National Metrology Institute of South Africa, Private Bag X34, Lynnwood Ridge, Pretoria, 0040, South Africa.|Department of Applied Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein Campus, P.O. Box 17011, Johannesburg, 2028, South Africa.
Dennis S
DS
Mkhize
College of Science Engineering and Technology, Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability Research Unit, UNISA Science Campus, University of South Africa, P.O. Box 392 UNISA 0003, Florida, Johannesburg, 1709, South Africa. nyonih@unisa.ac.za.
Hlengilizwe
http://orcid.org/0000-0003-0078-2906
H
Nyoni
National Metrology Institute of South Africa, Private Bag X34, Lynnwood Ridge, Pretoria, 0040, South Africa.
Laura P
LP
Quinn
College of Science Engineering and Technology, Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability Research Unit, UNISA Science Campus, University of South Africa, P.O. Box 392 UNISA 0003, Florida, Johannesburg, 1709, South Africa.
Bhekie B
BB
Mamba
College of Science Engineering and Technology, Nanotechnology and Water Sustainability Research Unit, UNISA Science Campus, University of South Africa, P.O. Box 392 UNISA 0003, Florida, Johannesburg, 1709, South Africa.
Titus A M
TA
Msagati
D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D054802:Molecular Imprinting; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry; D011760:Pyrrolidinones / Q000737:chemistry; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D013450:Sulfones / Q000737:chemistry; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000302:isolation & purification*
D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D011108:Polymers; D011760:Pyrrolidinones; D013450:Sulfones; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; C017662:polysulfone P 1700; D011078:Polychlorinated Biphenyls; C038678:N-methylpyrrolidone
Molecularly imprinted membranes; Permeation; Permselectivity; Polychlorinated biphenyls; Rejection