| Abstract: | Modified clay/polyethersulfone (PES) mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) were prepared by acid activated montmorillonite (AA-MMT) with different concentrations and used to eliminate dyes and remove heavy metals from aqueous solution.The morphology and physiochemical properties of prepared clay nanoparticles and MMMs were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD),Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy,scanning electron microscopy (SEM),enegy dispersive X-ray (EDX) spectroscopy,Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis,atomic force microscopy (AFM),contact angle measurement and fouling studies.The filtration study showed that removal of dyes and heavy metals was strongly dependent on pH so that dyes with positive and negative charges showed different separation efficiency in acidic and alkaline conditions.The modified membranes possessed better heavy metal removal in acidic and alkaline pHs.When the rejection of heavy metals was measured in an alkaline environment,it was observed that the rejection had a great increase compared to the neutral values for Zn2+ and Ni2+ ions,while rejection of Cu2+ and Cd2+ did not undergo significant changes.So it can be concluded that modified membranes show good selectivity for elimination of Zn2+ and Ni2+ ions with respect to other cations. |
