Fabrication of high-performance MeI and HPEI assembled PES/CPES hollow fiber nanofiltration membranes with high positive charges for efficient removal of salt/heavy metal ions

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Environmental protection and resource recovery require efficient separation of salts and heavy metal ions from wastewater. A new hollow fiber nanofiltration membrane (HFNM) with a highly positive charge was developed via Hyperbranched polyethyleneimine (HPEI) self-assembly and methyl iodide (MeI) quaternization on a polyethersulfone (PES) with carboxylic-PES (CPES) substrate. Effects of different layers on surface charge and roughness, wettability, and mechanical stability were evaluated. MgCl2 and ZnCl2 as representative of salts and heavy-metal ions, respectively, were used to investigate separating properties of the membranes in terms of feed temperature and concentrations, operating pressures, antifouling properties, and long-term stability. The relationship between salt/ions rejection and water flux, pore size, and surface positive charge degree was explained by comparing the structures and properties of the membranes. The 1wt.% HPEI and 0.5 wt.% GA solutions for 30 min crosslinking at pH of 11 and then 5 wt.% MeI solution could lead to the formation of the optimum membrane. Based on high hydrophilicity, low surface roughness, Donnan exclusion, and steric hindrance, the membrane could effectively exhibit superb rejection rates of Zn2+ (99.8 %), and Mg2+ (98.6 %), while showing high flux values (24.47 and 33.54 Lm−2h−1). The high flux rate (around 25.41 Lm−2h−1) during 4 cycles of regeneration, and high ions rejection (>98 %) were retained even after an 8-hour consistent operation. The prepared membrane, with high durability and structural stability, can introduce an effective solution for water purification from divalent ions.