Development and Characterisation of a Nanocomposite Membrane Using Polyethersulphone and Graphene Oxide-Magnetite Nanoparticles for Rejection of Chromium Hexavalent Ions from Tannery Wastewater
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2018
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Polyethersulphone (PES) polymer blended with Graphene Oxide (GO) and magnetite ( nano-composite
was synthesized using an immersion precipitation process for the filtration of chromium hexavalent ions
from leather processing waste water. PES is a synthetic polymer with good chemical resistance, wide pH
range (2-13) as well as good mechanical and thermal properties. However, it is hydrophobic and prone
to fouling hence its limitations in aqueous separation processes. In order to improve hydrophilicity,
porosity, permeability and strength properties of the polymeric membrane, GO was synthesized from coal
via a modified Hummers Method and then blended with anhydrous ferrous chloride to form Graphene
oxide/ magnetite () hybrid nano-particles. To assess the performance of the membrane pure water flux,
Equilibrium Water Content (EWC) and tensile strength test was measured. Structural analysis involved
porosity measurement. The filtration efficiency of the membranes was found by testing the waste water
for chromium ion concentration before and after filtration. It was established that both the physical
properties and chromium ion rejection improved with increase in polymer concentration and addition of
hybrid nano-particles.
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Gadlula S., Ndlovu L.N., Ncube L.K. Development and Characterisation of a Nano-composite Membrane Using Polyethersulphone and Graphene Oxide-Magnetite Nanoparticles for Rejection of Chromium Hexavalent Ions from Tannery Wastewater. J Adv Res Poly Text Engi 2018; 2(1&2): 1-7.