Role of clay-based membrane for removal of copper from aqueous solution

The present study focuses on the fabrication of polysulfone (PSf)-clay minerals impregnated hybrid membrane for treatment of Cu (II) ions. Blending and phase inversion methods have been employed to develop clay-based membranes by the mixing of bentonite, sepiolite and zeolite in the matrix of PSf. Moreover, characterization of fabricated membranes was carried out using SEM, FTIR, zeta potential, pore size and water contact angle measurement. Adsorption and filtration experiments were conducted to evaluate the permeation performance of the membrane. Obtained results of permeation study reveal that the presence of clay minerals in the matrix of modified membrane not only increases the adsorption and rejection efficiency for Cu (II) but, it also improves the flux of pure water. Among all developed membranes, the membrane prepared by the mixing of zeolite demonstrates the highest adsorption (2.82 mg/g) and rejection value (97%) towards Cu (II) at low pressure (0.5 bar). Regeneration performance results confirm the reusability of membrane up to 3–5 cycles along with 82.5–90% metal recovery. Based on significant metal recovery, clay-based low-cost zeolite/PSf membrane could be used to remove Cu (II) from water at low pressure to replace current conventional membrane.