Enhanced adsorptive removal of as(V) ions in aqueous solution using polyethersulfone ultrafiltration mixed matrix membranes impregnated with 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane modified magnetite Fe3O4 nanoparticles.

Abstract

This study involves the fabrication of mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) for ultrafiltration, which contained 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane modified magnetite iron oxide nanoparticles (A-Fe3O4 NPs), through a modified phase inversion technique. The physiochemical properties and surface morphologies of both the as-synthesized A-Fe3O4 NPs and fabricated MMMs were examined using advanced characterization techniques. The quasi-spherical A-Fe3O4 NPs had an average particle size of 12 nm and a Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area of 131.38 m2/g. Analysis by Fourier transform infrared and Raman spectroscopy confirmed the presence of -NH2 and -OH functional groups grafted onto the Fe3O4 NPs. The incorporation of higher loadings of A-Fe3O4 NPs in the membrane matrix significantly improved the adsorptive ability and hydrophilicity of the adsorbent, leading to improved membrane water permeance, adsorption rate, and adsorption-filtration properties. The water contact angle decreased from 70.7° to 63.2°, and the flux increased from 239.9 to 443.8 L/m2.h, while overall membrane porosity increased from 43.4% to 51.9%.