Abstract
The main goal of the present paper was to synthesize the polyvinyl alcohol-SiO2 nanoparticles polymeric membrane by wet-phase inversion method. The efficiency of prepared membranes (without and with SiO2) was investigated using a versatile laboratory electrodialysis system filled with simulated wastewaters that contain zinc ions. All experiments were performed at following conditions: the applied voltage at electrodes of 5, 10 and 15 V, a concentration of zinc ions solution of 2 g L−1, time for each test of 1 h and at room temperature. The demineralization rate, extraction percentage of zinc ions, current efficiency and energy consumption were determined. The polymeric membranes were characterized by Fourier Transforms Infrared Spectroscopy-Attenuated Total Reflection (FTIR-ATR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS). The higher value of percentage removal of zinc ions (over 65%) was obtained for the polymeric membrane with SiO2 nanoparticles, at 15 V. The FTIR-ATR spectra show a characteristic peak located at ~1078 cm−1 assigned to the Si-O-Si asymmetrical stretching. SEM images of the polymeric membrane with SiO2 nanoparticles show that the nanoparticles and polymer matrix were well compatible. The impedance results indicated that the SiO2 nanoparticles induced the higher proton conductivity. The final polymeric membranes can be used for the removal of various metallic ions, dyes, organic or inorganic colloids, bacteria or other microorganisms from different natural waters and wastewaters.
Highlights
The main goal of the present paper was to synthesize the polyvinyl alcohol-SiO2 nanoparticles polymeric membrane by wet-phase inversion method
The electrodialysis system operated over 1 h, for treatment of wastewater containing zinc ions, led to a higher percentage removal of zinc ions, but the energy consumption was higher, and the prepared polymeric membranes showed cracks and decreases the membranes resistance
The experimental results from the electrodialysis process indicated that the values of demineralization rate and of percentage removal of zinc ions increase with the increasing of applied voltage
Summary
The main goal of the present paper was to synthesize the polyvinyl alcohol-SiO2 nanoparticles polymeric membrane by wet-phase inversion method. The higher value of percentage removal of zinc ions (over 65%) was obtained for the polymeric membrane with SiO2 nanoparticles, at 15 V. The final polymeric membranes can be used for the removal of various metallic ions, dyes, organic or inorganic colloids, bacteria or other microorganisms from different natural waters and wastewaters. Zinc is considered an essential element for the aquatic ecosystems, natural flora and fauna and for human health It was reported [2,5] that the concentration of 120 μM of zinc may cause negative and irreversible effects for plants and animals The persons that work in different industries (e.g., galvanizing and in manufacturing brass another alloys, batteries and pigments) and are exposure to zinc at levels between 100 and 500 mg day−1 [2,10], can have health problems, such as: lethargy, hyperamylasemia, pancreatitis, pulmonary edema, renal insufficiency, and neurological disturbances [2,10,11]
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