Novel PVDF-PVP Hollow Fiber Membrane Augmented with TiO 2 Nanoparticles: Preparation, Characterization and Application for Copper Removal from Leachate

• Published in: Nanomaterials (Basel, Switzerland) Switzerland), 2021-02, Vol.11 (2)
• Main Authors: Abba, Mohammed Umar, Man, Hasfalina Che, Azis, Raba'ah Syahidah, Isma Idris, Aida, Hazwan Hamzah, Muhammad, Yunos, Khairul Faezah, Katibi, Kamil Kayode
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2079-4991; 2079-4991
• DOI: 10.3390/nano11020399

High proportion of copper has become a global challenge owing to its negative impact on the environment and public health complications. The present study focuses on the fabrication of a polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)-polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) fiber membrane incorporated with varying loading (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 wt%) of titanium dioxide (TiO ) nanoparticles via phase inversion technique to achieve hydrophilicity along with high selectivity for copper removal. The developed fibers were characterized based on scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), permeability, porosity, zeta potential, and contact angle. The improved membrane (with 1.0 wt% TiO ) concentration recorded the maximum flux (223 L/m ·h) and copper rejection (98.18%). Similarly, 1.0 wt% concentration of TiO nanoparticles made the membrane matrix more hydrophilic with the least contact angle of 50.01°. The maximum copper adsorption capacity of 69.68 mg/g was attained at 1.0 wt% TiO concentration. The experimental data of adsorption capacity were best fitted to the Freundlich isotherm model with R value of 0.99573. The hybrid membrane developed in this study has considerably eliminated copper from leachate and the concentration of copper in the permeate was substantially reduced to 0.044 mg/L, which is below standard discharge threshold.