Synthesis and application of environment friendly membranes of chitosan and chitosan-PTA for removal of copper (II) from wastewater

ABSTRACT

The development of environmental consciousness and practices is critically needed. Membranes have outperformed methods such as distillation and extraction in prominence. Technological development is essential for improving wastewater treatment methods. Renewable resources can be regarded as ideal materials for membrane production. It is critical to choose ecologically acceptable materials that are easy to use and have a high separation efficiency. This paper reports the preparation of adsorptive membranes of environmentally friendly chitosan and heteropolyacids. Membranes were prepared by a simple solvent evaporation technique and the effect of dodecatungstophosphoric acid on the composite membrane structure of chitosan were explored. The solution casting method was employed to prepare the membranes. The membrane films were characterised in terms of elemental composition, morphology, and structure using various analytical techniques like SEM-EDX, FTIR-ATR, TGA-DSC, and Universal Testing Machine. An aqueous solution of copper (C₀ = 100–2000 ppm) was adsorbed using these membranes. The effect of heteropolyacid on adsorption was studied. Adsorption above 90% was achieved and the adsorption followed pseudo 2nd order isotherm with R² > 0.99. The heteropolyacid acts as a dynamic ion exchanger in the process. The membranes were made from natural, non-toxic, cheap, and easily available materials and have a lot of potential.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS:

• Chitosan membrane
• copper removal
• heteropolyacids
• adsorption
• wastewater treatment
• environment friendly

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Supporting information

Copper removal data at other concentrations of 1000 and 2000 ppm, their kinetic modelling, and adsorption capacity graphs.

Additional information

Funding

SSV acknowledges the University Grants Commission (UGC) for awarding the Senior Research Fellowship under its Green Technology special meritorious fellowship program. GDY acknowledges the financial support as R. T. Mody Distinguished Professor, Tata Chemicals Darbari Seth Distinguished Professor of Leadership and Innovation, J.C. Bose National Fellow and National Science Chair (Mode I) (SERB/DST-GOI).