Purifying arsenic and fluoride-contaminated water by a novel graphene-based nanocomposite membrane of enhanced selectivity and sustained flux.
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int
; 25(17): 16579-16589, 2018 Jun.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-29594887
ABSTRACT
A novel graphene-based nanocomposite membrane was synthesized by interfacial polymerization (IP) through chemical bonding of the graphene oxide (GO) layer to polyethersulfone surface. Detailed characterization of the composite membrane through AFM, SEM, ATR-FTIR, XRD analysis, and Raman spectroscopy indicates strong potential of the membrane in highly selective removal of the toxic contaminants like arsenic and fluoride while permeating the essential minerals like calcium and magnesium. This makes the membrane suitable for production of safe drinking water from contaminated water. The membrane applied in a flat-sheet cross-flow module succeeded in removal of more than 98% arsenic and around 80% fluoride from contaminated water while selectively retaining the useful calcium and magnesium minerals in drinking water. A sustained pure water flux of around 150 LMH (liter per square meter per hour) during operation over long hours (> 150 h) with only 3-5% drop in flux indicates antifouling character of the membrane module.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Oxides
/
Arsenic
/
Water Pollutants, Chemical
/
Fluorides
/
Graphite
Language:
En
Journal:
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int
Journal subject:
SAUDE AMBIENTAL
/
TOXICOLOGIA
Year:
2018
Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
India