Synthesis of aminopropyl triethoxysilane/melamine incorporated superhydrophilic membranes for simultaneous removal of oil, metals, and Salt ions from produced water.

Water treatment has turned out to be more important in most societies due to the expansion of most economies and to advancement of industrialization. Developing efficient materials and technologies for water treatment is of high interest. Thin film nanocomposite membranes are regarded as the most effective membranes available for salts, hydrocarbon, and environmental pollutants removal. These membranes improve productivity while using less energy than conventional asymmetric membranes. Here, the polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membranes have been successfully modified via dip single-step coating by silica-aminopropyl triethoxysilane/trimesic acid/melamine nanocomposite (Si-APTES-TA-MM). The developed membranes were evaluated for separating the emulsified oil/water mixture, the surface wettability of the membrane materials is therefore essential. During the conditioning step, that is when the freshwater was introduced, the prepared membrane reached a flux of about 27.77 L m-2 h-1. However, when the contaminated water was introduced, the flux reached 18 L m-2 h-1, alongside an applied pressure of 400 kPa. Interestingly, during the first 8 h of the filtration test, the membrane showed 90 % rejection for ions including Mg2+, and SO42- and ≈100 % for organic pollutants including pentane, isooctane, toluene, and hexadecane. Also, the membrane showed 98 % rejection for heavy metals including strontium, lead, and cobalt ions. As per the results, the membrane could be recommended as a promising candidate to be used for a mixture of salt ions, hydrocarbons, and mixtures of heavy metals from wastewater.

Polyamide magnetic palygorskite for the simultaneous removal of Hg(II) and methyl mercury; with factorial design analysis.

A novel efficient adsorbent was prepared by the modification of magnetic palygorskite (MPG) by polyamide via the interfacial polymerization of trimesoyl chloride with m-phenylenediamine. The prepared magnetic palygorskite modified with polyamide (MPGP) material was appraised for its removal of the Hg(II) and CH3Hg species from aqueous solutions. The developed adsorbent was characterized using spectroscopic techniques. The adsorption ability of the MPGP sorbent was systematically investigated by using the batch method. Factorial design analysis was applied to study the effect of different batch parameters on the adsorption yield of both mercury species. These factors include mercury concentration, initial pH, sorbent amount and contact time. The equilibrium data coincided with the Langmuir adsorption isotherm indicating the maximum adsorption capacity of the MPGP was determined as 211.93 mg/g for Hg(II) and 159.73 mg/g for CH3Hg. The kinetic mechanism of the adsorption of both mercury species was well defined by the pseudo-second-order while the adsorption processes demonstrated spontaneity and an exothermic character at the studied temperatures. The cycling adsorption/desorption tests made by using a 1 mol/L HCl solution demonstrated that the MPGP had good reusable performance up to seven cycles. Based on the results it can be suggested that the synthesized MPGP sorbent can be handled for the elimination of Hg(II) and CH3Hg from wastewater effluents.

Novel cross-linked melamine based polyamine/CNT composites for lead ions removal.

A novel series of polyamine/CNT composites were synthesized via a single step polycondensation reaction of melamine, paraformaldehyde, various alkyldiamines and chlorinated carbon nanotubes (CNT) at optimized reaction conditions in the presence of N, N-Dimethyl formamide as a solvent. Chlorinated carbon nanotubes synthesized by reacting acidified CNT and thionyl chloride was used. The pure polymer (MFDH) and the functionalized composites (MFDH1, MFDH2, MFDH3 and MFDH4) having 0.01, 0.02, 0.05 and 0.1% weight of the starting precursors were used. The morphology, surface area, molecular structures and overall properties of the new series of polymers were characterized using Raman Spectroscopy, FT-IR, 13C NMR, X-ray diffraction experiments, BET and TGA. A comprehensive design was set up in order to evaluate the effects of pH, temperature, Lead ion initial concentrations and contact time on the ability of the new series of functionalized polymers for Lead (II) ion removal. Wastewater treatment revealed the high efficacy of the synthesized polyamine/CNT composite in the removal of ∼99% of Lead ions in wastewater samples.

Diaminoalkanes functionalized graphene oxide as corrosion inhibitors against carbon steel corrosion in simulated oil/gas well acidizing environment.

Experimental weight loss and electrochemical measurements were used at ambient and high temperatures to evaluate the corrosion inhibition efficacies of diaminodecane functionalized graphene oxide (DAD-GO) and diaminododecane functionalized graphene oxide (DADD-GO) against carbon steel corrosion in 15.0 %HCl, mimicking an acidizing environment in an oil/gas well. The GO was made from waste graphite and then grafted with the diaminoalkanes (DAD & DADD). The GO and functionalized GOs were described using FTIR, Raman, TEM, and TGA. Concentration and temperature effects on the inhibitors'performance were also looked into. The inhibition efficiency increased with concentration at room temperature, reaching a maximum of 84 % for DAD-GO and 78 % for DADD-GO at a concentration of 5 ppm for both. At the temperatures studied, the inhibitors performed well at extremely low concentrations; however, as the temperature rises, the inhibitor's performance decreases. According to the PDP measurement, the inhibitors function primarily as mixed-type inhibitors. The Langmuir adsorption theory was found to be followed by thestudied compound. AFM, SEM, EDX, and FTIR characterization of the steel surfaces revealed that the functionalized GOs molecules adsorbed on the steel to create a protective layer that insulated the steel from aggressiveacid assault after the immersion time (24 h) in the inhibited solutions. DFT calculations were utilized to determine the relative stability of functionalized GOs toGOand to learn more about the inhibitor molecules' interactions with the steel surface. The DFT calculations corroborated the experimental findings. This study is important in tackling two significant environmental concerns: corrosion and waste management because GO is manufactured from waste graphite.

Chemical modification of microcrystalline cellulose with polyethyleneimine and hydrazine: Characterization and evaluation of its adsorption power toward anionic dyes.

Functionalization and various applications of biomaterials have progressively gained a major interest due to the cost-effectiveness, renewability, and biodegradability of these substrates. The current work focalized on the functionalization of microcrystalline cellulose with polyethyleneimine solution (3 %, 5 %, and 10 %) and hydrazine sulfate salt (1:1, 1:2, 2:1) using an impregnation method. Untreated and treated samples were characterized using FT-IR, SEM, XRD, TGA, and DTA analyses. The crystallinity index values for control microcrystalline cellulose, cellulose-polyethyleneimine, and cellulose-hydrazine were 57.13.8 %, 57.29 %, and 52.62 %, respectively. Cellulose-polyethyleneimine (5 %) and cellulose-hydrazine (1:1) displayed the highest adsorption capacities for calmagite (an anionic dye). At equilibrium, the maximum adsorption capacities for calmagite achieved 104 mg/g for cellulose-polyethyleneimine (5 %), 45 mg/g for cellulose-hydrazine (1:1), and only 12.4 mg/g for untreated cellulose. Adsorption kinetics complied well with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The adsorption isotherm fitted well with the Langmuir isotherm. Overall, the functionalized cellulosic samples could be considered potential materials for the treatment of contaminated waters.

Evaluation of the corrosion inhibition efficacy of Cola acuminata extract for low carbon steel in simulated acid pickling environment.

In this study, Kola nut extract (KE) was evaluated for inhibiting ability towards low carbon steel corrosion in 1 M HCl solution using weight loss and electrochemical techniques. The surface of the corroded carbon steel was examined by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Elemental composition of the corrosion products and/or adsorbed inhibitor film on the carbon steel surface was determined with the aid of an energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) experiments were also performed to get information about the interaction of KE with the carbon steel surface. It was found that KE exhibited good corrosion protection property. From weight loss technique, corrosion rate was reduced from 0.387 to 0.054 mm/year by 700 ppm of KE at room temperature after 24 h immersion and this corresponded to inhibition efficiency (IE) of 86%. The IE however depreciated with rise in temperature. FTIR results reveal that KE interacted with the carbon steel surface through the O and N heteroatoms of its phytoconstituents. FTIR spectroscopy, UV-vis, SEM, AFM, and EDX data provided proof of KE adsorption on the steel surface as reason for the corrosion inhibition.

Hemodialysis performance and anticoagulant activities of PVP-k25 and carboxylic-multiwall nanotube composite blended Polyethersulfone membrane.

Non-covalent electrostatic interaction between amide nitrogen and carbonyl carbon of shorter chain length of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP-k25) was developed with in-house carboxylic oxidized multiwall carbon nanotubes (O-MWCNT) and then blended with Polyethersulfone (PES) polymer. FTIR analysis was utilized to confirm bonding nature of nano-composites (NCs) of O-MWCNT/PVP-k25 and casting membranes. Non-solvent induces phase separation process developed regular finger-like channels in composite membranes whereas pristine PES exhibited spongy entities as studied by cross sectional analysis report of FESEM. Further, FESEM instrument was also utilized to observe the dispersion of O-MWCNT/PVP based nanocomposite (NCs) with PES and membranes leaching phenomena analysis. Contact angle experiments described 24% improvement of hydrophilic behaviour, leaching ratio of additives was reduced to 1.89%, whereas water flux enhanced up to 6 times. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) and lysozyme based antifouling analysis shown up to 25% improvement, whereas 84% of water flux was regained after protein fouling than pristine PES. Anticoagulant activity was reported by estimating prothrombin, thrombin, plasma re-calcification times and production of fibrinogen cluster with platelets-adhesions photographs and hemolysis experiments. Composite membranes exhibited 3.4 and 3 times better dialysis clearance ratios of urea and creatinine solutes as compared to the raw PES membrane.

Fabrication and performance evaluation of blood compatible hemodialysis membrane using carboxylic multiwall carbon nanotubes and low molecular weight polyvinylpyrrolidone based nanocomposites.

This study focused to optimize the performance of polyethersulfone (PES) hemodialysis (HD) membrane using carboxylic functionalized multiwall carbon nanotubes (c-MWCNT) and lower molecular weight grade of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP-k30). Initially, MWCNT were chemically functionalized by acid treatment and nanocomposites (NCs) of PVP-k30 and c-MWCNT were formed and subsequently blended with PES polymer. The spectra of FTIR of the HD membranes revealed that NCs has strong hydrogen bonding and their addition to PES polymer improved the capillary system of membranes as confirmed by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) and leaching of the additive decreased to 2% and hydrophilicity improved to 22%. The pore size and porosity of NCs were also enhanced and rejection rate was achieved in the establish dialysis range (<60 kDa). The antifouling studies had shown that NCs membrane exhibited 30% less adhesion of protein with 80% flux recovery ratio. The blood compatibility assessment disclosed that NCs based membranes showed prolonged thrombin and prothrombin clotting times, lessened production of fibrinogen cluster, and greatly suppressed adhesion of blood plasma than a pristine PES membrane. The results also unveiled that PVP-k30/NCs improved the surface properties of the membrane and the urea and creatinine removal increased to 72% and 75% than pure PES membranes. © 2018 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A: 107A: 513-525, 2019.

Synthesis of hydrophobic cross-linked polyzwitterionic acid for simultaneous sorption of Eriochrome black T and chromium ions from binary hazardous waters.

Hydrophobic cross-linked polyzwitterionic acid (HCPZA) containing long chain (C18) hydrophobes and residues of a glutamic acid having unquenched nitrogen valency was synthesized. Exploiting the chelating ability of the amino acid residues to scavenge toxic metals and the hydrophobic surface to scoop up the organic contaminants, the resin HCPZA was evaluated for simultaneous removal of chromium and Eriochrome black T (EBT) from wastewaters. The structure and morphology of the polymer before and after sorption were characterized by using FTIR, TGA, EDX and SEM. The effect of various parameters such as contact time, pH and initial concentrations were investigated to arrive at optimum conditions. The adsorption of Eriochrome black T and Cr (III) on HCPZA reached equilibrium in 30 min. The mechanism of adsorption was investigated using kinetic, diffusion and isotherm models. The adsorption kinetic data were described well by the pseudo-second order model and by the Freundlich isotherm model. EDX analysis confirmed the adsorption of Cr (III) and EBT on the polymer. The hydrophobic resin exhibited a remarkable simultaneous adsorption capacity for EBT and Cr (III) and thus demonstrated its potential to be a promising adsorbent for removal of dyes and heavy metal ions from wastewaters.

Chromium removal from water by activated carbon developed from waste rubber tires.

Because of the continuous production of large amount of waste tires, the disposal of waste tires represents a major environmental issue throughout the world. This paper reports the utilization of waste tires (hard-to-dispose waste) as a precursor in the production of activated carbons (pollution-cleaning adsorbent). In the preparation of activated carbon (AC), waste rubber tire (WRT) was thermally treated and activated. The tire-derived activated carbon was characterized by means of scanning electron microscope, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, FTIR spectrophotometer, and X-ray diffraction. In the IR spectrum, a number of bands centred at about 3409, 2350, 1710, 1650, and 1300-1000 cm(-1) prove the present of hydroxyl and carboxyl groups on the surface of AC in addition to C═C double bonds. The developed AC was tested and evaluated as potential adsorbent removal of chromium (III). Experimental parameters, such as contact time, initial concentration, adsorbent dosage and pH were optimized. A rapid uptake of chromium ions was observed and the equilibrium is achieved in 1 h. It was also found that the adsorption process is pH dependent. This work adds to the global discussion of the cost-effective utilization of waste rubber tires for waste water treatment.