Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
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National Institute of Technology Karnataka
2
aMembrane and Separation Technology Laboratory, Chemistry Department, National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Surathkal, Mangalore 575 025, India
3
Department of Mining Engineering, National Institute of Technology Karnataka, Surathkal, Mangalore 575 025, India
4
Department of Chemical Engineering, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal University, Manipal, 576 104, Karnataka, India
10.22104/aet.2026.7601.2133
Abstract
Water contamination is a significant environmental issue, and it is crucial to develop innovative technologies to address this problem. One such technology is the use of nanomaterials in polymeric membranes, which can help to purify water by eliminating pollutants and heavy metals. These membranes possess exceptional properties, including a large surface area, adjustable pore dimensions, and permeability selectivity, which make them effective in removing various contaminants from water. Nanoscale materials, like metal nanoparticles, nanofibers, graphene, and graphene oxide, and metal organic framework (MOF), are integrated into the membrane, which enhances its mechanical strength, separation efficacy, and adsorption capabilities. In the current investigation, we have successfully synthesized the metal-organic framework NH2-MIL-125 and conducted preliminary research on its properties for heavy metal rejection (Pb2+ and Cd2+) after incorporation into a polysulfone membrane. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) analysis, an Electrokinetic Analyzer, and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) were used to study the membranes. Additionally, the membrane's water affinity, flow rate, and resistance to fouling were studied. The M-3 membrane with 3.0 % MOF incorporation showed a 99.10 % rejection for cadmium, and the M-3 membrane rejected 75.02% for lead at a feed concentration of 500 ppm.
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