Removal of copper(II) from aqueous solution using zinc oxide nanoparticle impregnated mixed matrix hollow fiber membrane

Abstract

In this work, the zinc oxide nanoparticle incorporated hollow fiber mixed matrix membranes were prepared and its efficacy to remove copper(II) from the contaminated stream was investigated. The membrane characteristics in terms of the surface charge, hydrophilicity, mechanical strength, permeability and surface roughness were improved with the incorporation of zinc oxide in hollow fiber matrix. The membrane with 1.5 wt% zinc oxide showed high adsorption capacity of copper(II) (88 mg.g⁻¹) at pH8. The optimum separation performance was obtained at the transmembrane pressure difference of 35 kPa, the cross-flowrate of 3L h⁻¹ and solution pH8 for the feed concentration 50 mg L⁻¹ of copper(II). Around 92% copper(II) was rejected with an average steady state permeate flux of 0.115 L m⁻²h⁻¹ kPa⁻¹. The copper(II) removal mechanism was adsorption in the membrane. In-situ chemical regeneration was successfully carried out for three consecutive regeneration cycles. Thus, the developed membrane has good potential for copper(II) removal from aqueous solution.