Adsorbent For Water Treatment Research Articles

Characterization and application of LDH with chitosan composites investigated by positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy and surface texture for the adsorption of methyl orange

With a rapid increase in industrial growth around the world, the demand for an entirely novel category of nanoparticles and technologies for wastewater treatment has become a key concern for environmental protection. Recently, hybrids of layered double hydroxides (LDH), particularly those containing LDH, have gained attention as potential nanoscale adsorbents for water treatment. Recent research has shown that LDH-containing composites are interesting versatile materials with the ability to be used in energy storage, photocatalysis, nanocomposites, and water treatment. In the current work, LDH-containing composites were utilized as adsorbents for the purpose of purifying water. The adsorbents investigated are Zn–Co–Fe/LDH/Chitosan-in situ sample preparation (LDH/CS1) and Zn–Co–Fe/LDH/Chitosan-ex situ sample preparation (LDH/CS2). Furthermore, LDH/CS1 and LDH/CS2 were investigated for wastewater treatment from methyl orange dye (MO) with various adsorption conditions. When the initial MO concentration was 20 mg/L and the amount of adsorbent was 0.1 g, the removal efficiency reached 72.8 and 91.7% for LDH/CS1 and LDH/CS2, respectively. The MO’s maximum adsorption capabilities are 160.78 and 165.89 mg/g for LDH/CS1 and LDH/CS2, respectively, which is much greater than that of comparable commercial adsorbents. MO adsorption onto LDH/CS1 and LDH/CS2 was best characterized by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. The equilibrium adsorption data was followed by the Freundlich and Langmuir models. The adsorption is favorable as evidenced by the equilibrium parameter RL values for MO adsorption onto LDH/CS1 and LDH/CS2, which were 0.227 and 0.144, respectively. Using the free volume distribution method and the positron annihilation lifetime technique, the nanostructure of the materials was examined.

Ultra-high selective removal of Congo red and Ciprofloxacin using unusual LDO modified biochar: Influence of emerging pollutants and application attempts

The porous biochar materials serve as effective adsorbents in water treatment. In this study, layered-double-hydroxide (LDH)(MgAl) was dispersed onto waste poplar powder through the co-precipitation method, followed by pyrolysis to prepare layered-double-oxides (LDO)/poplar carbon (CL-800) for ultra-high adsorption of Congo red (CR) and Ciprofloxacin (CIP). The CL-800 adsorbent possessed a well-developed layered porous structure that provides numerous adsorption sites and transport channels for dyes and antibiotics. Notably, CL-800 exhibited a significantly elevated level of selectivity and adsorption capacity towards CR and CIP reaching 93.0, 84.7 % and 4841.2, 744.0 mg/g, respectively. Various factors were considered to investigate the influence on CR and CIP adsorption, such as ion types, microplastics, and perfluorooctanoic acid. The adsorption capacity in complex water systems were also explored where CL-800 presented excellent removal efficiencies for CR (99.0 %) and CIP (89.6 %) in simulated wastewater along with good repeatability. Fixed-bed column tests also confirmed its potential as an effective adsorbent for wastewater purification due to continuous adsorption properties towards CR and CIP over time. Finally, the interaction mechanisms for CR/CIP adsorption processes onto CL-800 were possibly determined via various advanced techniques. This study provides new perspectives for providing a potential low-cost efficient adsorbent for organic wastewater treatment.

Utilizing magnetic nanoparticles embedded into polyvinyl alcohol and sodium alginate for the absorption of arsenic

Arsenic is an extremely toxic metalloid. The majority of arsenic water pollution originates from industrial activities such as mining, smelting, and utilization of arsenic compounds in glass, pigment, semiconductor, and other industries. Arsenic-containing wastewater poses a threat to groundwater, freshwater, seawater, and soil. Bioaccumulation of arsenic as a result of accidental ingestion may have a harmful effect on the skin and cardiovascular, respiratory, and nervous systems, thereby posing a major health risk. Chemical coagulation, membrane filtration, and adsorption can be used to treat arsenic-containing wastewater. However, chemical coagulation produces a large amount of waste sludge, which is harmful and incurs high processing costs. Membrane filtration is difficult to adopt because of its high operation and maintenance costs. Adsorption is an inexpensive, easy-to-use, sludge-free water treatment method that enables adsorbent recycling. These characteristics make adsorption an economically feasible technique for water treatment. Magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) are small particles with a high surface area to volume ratio. Their strong magnetic properties enable them to absorb specific water pollutants. MNPs are currently used as water treatment adsorbents. However, they have several drawbacks, including low acid and alkali buffer capacity and water oxidation. In this study, MNPs immobilized with polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and sodium alginate (SA) were used to enhance the efficacy of wastewater treatment with magnetic materials. These modified MNPs exhibited magnetic characteristics and improved acid resistance. When 100 g/L PVA/SA-MNPs (pH 1–6) were stirred at 120 rpm for 30 min, the resulting iron concentration of the water was 16 mg/L. By contrast, the MNPs released iron in levels ranging from 18 to 4045 mg/L. The PVA/SA–MNPs efficiently adsorbed arsenic in the pH range 3–6, with a high removal efficiency of 76%–82%. At pH 5, the average adsorption capacity was 382 ± 27 μg/g. To recover the MNPs, they were rinsed with deionized water and immersed in acid three times, after which their adsorption capacity was 300 μg/g or higher. By contrast, the PVA/SA-MNPs could be recovered through spontaneous sedimentation, eliminating the need for a magnetic field and simplifying the collection process. In addition, iron dissolution in acidic solutions was minimized for the PVA/SA-MNPs, contributing to environmental protection.

Salsola Tetragona as a new low-cost adsorbent for water treatment: highly effective adsorption of crystal violet

Synthetic dyes are prevalent in aquatic environments, they have high toxicities, are non-degradable, and accumulate in the water. The removal of Crystal violet (CV) is carried out using batch experiments on the Salsola Tetragona (ST) plant as a novel adsorbent. The prepared adsorbent was analyzed by various methods (MEB, EDX, IRTF and PZC), to support its applicability as adsorbent. The adsorption study of CV is performed by optimizing the parameters affecting the adsorption process. The adsorption kinetics study is represented by pseudo-second-order (R2 = 0.999) and the adsorption process is limited by external mass transport. In addition, the isotherm results demonstrate that the Langmuir model interprets better the adsorption isotherm. The thermodynamic parameters suggest that the adsorption phenomena are spontaneous and exothermic. Furthermore, the adsorption reactions involved are of physisorption type, which facilitates the desorption of pollutants from the surface of the adsorbent. The results show that ST adsorbent effectively removes CV in an aqueous solution, which is demonstrated by the maximum amount adsorption of 246.7 mg.g−1 at optimum adsorption conditions: pH = 6, adsorbent dose of 0.5 g.L−1, initial CV concentration of 10 mg.L−1, and adsorption time of 30 min at 298 K. Finally, these results can be considered as a useful reference for wastewater treatment using ST.

Activated carbon and their nanocomposites derived from vegetable and fruit residues for water treatment

Water pollution remains a pressing environmental issue, with diverse pollutants such as heavy metals, pharmaceuticals, dyes, and aromatic hydrocarbon compounds posing a significant threat to clean water access. Historically, biomass-derived activated carbons (ACs) have served as effective adsorbents for water treatment, owing to their inherent porosity and expansive surface area. Nanocomposites have emerged as a means to enhance the absorption properties of ACs, surpassing conventional AC performance. Biomass-based activated carbon nanocomposites (ACNCs) hold promise due to their high surface area and cost-effectiveness. This review explores recent advancements in biomass-based ACNCs, emphasizing their remarkable adsorption efficiencies and paving the way for future research in developing efficient and affordable ACNCs. Leveraging real-time communication for ACNC applications presents a viable approach to addressing cost concerns.

Theoretical and Experimental Analysis of Hydroxyl and Epoxy Group Effects on Graphene Oxide Properties.

In this study, we analyzed the impact of hydroxyl and epoxy groups on the properties of graphene oxide (GO) for the adsorption of methylene blue (MB) dye from water, addressing the urgent need for effective water purification methods due to industrial pollution. Employing a dual approach, we integrated experimental techniques with theoretical modeling via density functional theory (DFT) to examine the atomic structure of GO and its adsorption capabilities. The methodology encompasses a series of experiments to evaluate the performance of GO in MB dye adsorption under different conditions, including differences in pH, dye concentration, reaction temperature, and contact time, providing a comprehensive view of its effectiveness. Theoretical DFT calculations provide insights into how hydroxyl and epoxy modifications alter the electronic properties of GO, improving adsorption efficiency. The results demonstrate a significant improvement in the dye adsorption capacity of GO, attributed to the interaction between the functional groups and MB molecules. This study not only confirms the potential of GO as a superior adsorbent for water treatment, but also contributes to the optimization of GO-based materials for environmental remediation, highlighting the synergy between experimental observations and theoretical predictions in advances in materials science to improve sustainability.

Efficient removal of tetracycline and Cu2+ by honeycomb derived magnetic carbon: Adsorption mechanism and advanced oxidation regeneration mechanism

The honeycomb magnetic carbons (xFe@HCNs) were prepared by sacrificial template method novelty using polyacrylamide resin (PAAS) as template and ammonium pyrrolidine dithioate/Fe3+ complex (APDC-Fe) as carbon skeleton and metal source. Tetracycline (TC) and copper (Cu2+) as target pollutants were used to investigate the adsorption properties of xFe@HCNs in single or binary TC and Cu2+ systems. The adsorption capacity sequence for TC among the adsorbents was (mmol·g−1): 2Fe@HCNs (0.088) > 8Fe@HCNs (0.061) > HCNs (0.054) > RC (0.036), and for Cu2+ was (mmol·g−1): 2Fe@HCNs (1.120) > 8Fe@HCNs (1.026) > RC (0.792) > HCNs (0.681). 2Fe@HCNs demonstrated notable affinity for adsorbing both TC and Cu2+. Additionally, the influence of hydrochemical factors (i.e., cation species, anion species, and pH) on the adsorption properties of 2Fe@HCNs. Combined with advanced oxidation technology, the regeneration methods of magnetic adsorbent were explored using oxidizing agents (e.g., H2O2 and peroxymonosulfate) as eluents which could increase the adsorption sites of magnetic carbon adsorbents during the regenerating process, which was the novelty of the study. Furthermore, the regeneration mechanisms of H2O2 as eluent were investigated. This study discussed the application and regeneration methods of magnetic adsorbents in water treatment, offering new insights into environmental remediation using magnetic materials.

Multiporous ZIF-8 carbon/cellulose composite beads: Highly efficient and scalable adsorbents for water treatment

Metal–organic framework (MOF) particles are one of the most promising adsorbents for removing organic contaminants from wastewater. However, powder-type MOF particles face challenges in terms of utilization and recovery. In this study, a novel bead-type adsorbent was prepared using activated carbon based on the zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (AC-ZIF-8) and a regenerated cellulose hydrogel for dye removal. AC-ZIF-8 particles with a large surface area were obtained by carbonization and chemical activation with KOH. The AC-ZIF-8 powders were efficiently immobilized in hydrophilic cellulose hydrogel beads via cellulose dissolution/regeneration. The prepared AC-ZIF-8/cellulose hydrogel (AC-ZIF-8/CH) composite beads exhibit a large specific surface area of 1412.8 m2/g and an excellent maximum adsorption capacity of 565.13 mg/g for Rhodamine B (RhB). Moreover, the AC-ZIF-8/CH beads were effective over a wide range of pH, temperatures and for different types of dyes. These composite beads also offer economic benefits through desorption of dyes for recycling. The AC-ZIF-8/CH beads can be produced in substantial amounts and used as fillers in a fixed-bed column system, which can purify the continuous inflow of dye solutions. These findings suggest that our simple approach for preparing high-performance adsorbent beads will broaden the application of dye adsorbents, oil–water separation, and catalysts.

Utilization of Biomass Waste at Water Treatment

This work presents some preliminary results on the direct use of untreated biomass from agricultural activities as adsorbents for water treatment. Waste was also used to produce activated carbons (ACs) by chemical activation with KOH. The efficacy of agricultural waste such as stubble, sawdust from Teak (Tectona Grandis), fibers from Imbondeiro (Adansonia digitata L.), bamboo flowers, and other regional plants were tested on methylene blue (MB) removal from the aqueous phase. Adsorption studies were conducted in a batch system and the influence of kinetics, pH, and temperature was evaluated. The adsorption performance of the natural adsorbents was significantly high concerning MB. In particular, Imbondeiro presented a maximum removal capacity of 188.3 mg per gram. This amount was similar to or even higher than the values obtained on ACs produced by their predecessors at 873 K. The studies were finished by constructing slow filters containing natural adsorbents or ACs. The maximum amounts of MB removed on a continuous flux were lower than those obtained for a diversity of untreated biomass types on a batch system. However, these amounts were comparable to the published results obtained on a diversity of untreated biomasses in batch mode.

Formulation Optimization and Performance Prediction of Red Mud Particle Adsorbents Based on Neural Networks.

Red mud (RM), a bauxite residue, contains hazardous radioactive wastes and alkaline material and poses severe surface water and groundwater contamination risks, necessitating recycling. Pretreated RM can be used to make adsorbents for water treatment. However, its performance is affected by many factors, resulting in a nonlinear correlation and coupling relationship. This study aimed to identify the best formula for an RM adsorbent using a mathematical model that examines the relationship between 11 formulation types (e.g., pore-assisting agent, component modifier, and external binder) and 9 properties (e.g., specific surface area, wetting angle, and Zeta potential). This model was built using a back-propagation neural network (BP) based on single-factor experimental data and orthogonal experimental data. The model trained and predicted the established network structure to obtain the optimal adsorbent formula. The RM particle adsorbents had a pH of 10.16, specific surface area (BET) of 48.92 m2·g-1, pore volume of 2.10 cm3·g-1, compressive strength (ST) of 1.12 KPa, and 24 h immersion pulverization rate (ηm) of 3.72%. In the removal of total phosphorus in flotation tailings backwater, it exhibited a good adsorption capacity (Q) and total phosphorous removal rate (η) of 48.63 mg·g-1 and 95.13%, respectively.

Preparation and Use of Activated Carbon from Periwinkle Shell for Water Treatment in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State, Nigeria

Activated carbon is normally produced from various carbonaceous materials of both plant and animal origin. This work was focused on the preparation of activated carbon from periwinkle shells gotten from kenyetta market in Enugu, and its use as an adsorbent for water treatment in Nkanu East Local Government Area of Enugu State. The activated carbon, (AC) is prepared by acid activation method at temperature of 6000C. The effects of carbonization and acid impregnation time on the adsorption potential of the activated carbons on adsorption of nickel and lead from inyaba river water in Amagunze, in Nkanu East L.G.A, was examined. The results show that the concentrations of nickel and lead before purification are 1.86mg/l and 0.08 mg/l respectively. After purification, lead was not detected in any of the samples while the concentrations of nickel reduced from 1.86 mg/l to 0.30 mg/l. Thus, this study showed that activated carbon produced from periwinkle shell is suitable for the adsorption of Ni+2 and Pb+2 ions and as such could be used as a costeffective and locally accessed adsorbent in the treatment of contaminated river water.

Polymer Nanocomposites: A Comprehensive Review on Their Applications in Membranes and Adsorbents for Water Treatment and Gas Separation

Environmental challenges such as water scarcity and air pollution have become critical global issues, prompting the need for innovative solutions. Polymer nanocomposites have emerged as promising materials for addressing these challenges due to their unique properties and functionalities. This comprehensive review explores the effective utilization of polymer nanocomposites in membranes and adsorbents for water treatment and gas separation. The synthesis methods, properties, and mechanisms of polymer nanocomposite membranes are discussed, along with their applications in wastewater treatment and gas separation. Furthermore, the use of polymer nanocomposites as adsorbents for removing toxic metals ions and dyes from water is examined, including the underlying adsorption mechanisms. Additionally, the review highlights recent patents in the field, emphasizing the innovative applications of polymer nanocomposite membranes for environmental purposes

Continuous fixed‐bed column adsorption of nickel (II) using recyclable three‐dimensional cellulose nanocrystals‐hydrogel: Bed depth service time, Thomas, Adams–Bohart, and Yoon–Nelson modelling

AbstractHeavy metal ions have detrimental impacts on both the environment and human health. Therefore, it is necessary to develop simple, economical water treatment adsorbents that employ easily modifiable, organic, biodegradable polymers like cellulose nanocrystals. This work used Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X‐ray diffraction (XRD), and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) to characterize the cellulose nanocrystal hydrogel prepared to remove Ni2+. The hydrogel was established to have two stable degradation points, ranging from 70 to 120°C to 250 to 380°C. Additionally, the principal functionalized groups observed in the hydrogel's molecular structure were CH, OH, and CO, which were uniform distribution and finger‐like structures as seen by SEM. It consisted of crystalline and amorphous structures, as shown by XRD patterns, making it a viable option for water filtration. BET showed that the surface area of the hydrogel increased upon modification. The column study involves optimization of pH, flow rate, concentration, and bed depth. According to experimental data, the effects of breakthrough parameters including pH (4, 5, 6) influent concentration (50, 75, and 100 mg/L), feed flow rate (5, 10, and 15 mL/min), and bed height (10, 15, and 20 cm). With an adsorption capacity of 58.65 mg/g, a flow rate of 10 mL/min, a bed depth of 20 cm, an influent concentration of 75 mg/L and a pH of 5 was found. The column experimental data fitted better to the Thomas, Yoon–Nelson, and bed depth service time modelling (R2 > 0.99) than the Adams–Bohart model with R2 > 0.90. The adsorbent is economical and environmentally friendly due to its excellent regeneration capacity.

Dynamic Worm-Gel Materials as Tunable, Regenerable Adsorbents for Water Treatment

Dynamic Worm-Gel Materials as Tunable, Regenerable Adsorbents for Water Treatment

Developing Innovative Nanomaterials as Adsorbents for Water Treatment and their Environmental Impact

Water treatment is paramount in tackling the increasingly pressing environmental issues associated with water contamination. The present study investigates the progression of novel nanomaterials as exceptionally effective adsorbents for water purification while also evaluating their potential ecological consequences. The significance of water treatment cannot be overstated when it comes to protecting the environment and ensuring public health. This is due to the intricate and varied pollutants that are brought into water sources from many sources of waste, such as household, industrial, and environmental concerns. Adsorbents are crucial in capturing and immobilizing contaminants, making them essential instruments in this particular setting. Nanomaterials have garnered attention as potential adsorbents owing to their notable specific surface area and adjustable features. These materials possess a large surface area, reactivity, and configurable surface chemistry, rendering them intriguing candidates for adsorption applications. This manuscript presents the Innovative Nanoparticles for Water Treatment Framework (INM-WTF). This innovative approach utilizes state-of-the-art nanoparticles to improve water treatment processes' efficiency significantly. The outcomes of the INM-WTF experiment include the following parameters: Pollutant Removal Efficiency of 96.5%, Permeate Flux of 395 L/m²h, Adsorption Capacity of 155 mg/g, Photocatalytic Degradation Rate of 85%/hour, Membrane Filtration Efficiency of 97.5%, and Water Quality Compliance of 1.7 µg/L. The results indicate significant progress in water treatment capabilities, emphasizing nanomaterials' potential to tackle environmental issues, enhance water quality, and guarantee adherence to rigorous regulatory benchmarks.

Dolomite as a potential adsorbent in water treatment: pH, turbidity and Pb (II) removal studies

Dolomite as a potential adsorbent in water treatment: pH, turbidity and Pb (II) removal studies

Activated Carbon-Incorporated Tragacanth Gum Hydrogel Biocomposite: A Promising Adsorbent for Crystal Violet Dye Removal from Aqueous Solutions.

Biomaterials-based adsorbents have emerged as a sustainable and promising solution for water purification, owing to their eco-friendly nature and remarkable adsorption capacities. In this study, a biocomposite hydrogel was prepared by the incorporation of activated carbon derived from pomegranate peels (PPAC) in tragacanth gum (TG). The hydrogel biocomposite (PPAC/TG) showed a porous structure, a negative surface charge at a pH of more than 4.9, and good stability in aqueous media. The adsorption properties of the PPAC/TG hydrogel biocomposite were assessed for the removal of crystal violet dye (CV) from aqueous solutions using a batch adsorption. The equilibrium adsorption data followed the Sips isotherm model, as supported by the calculated R2 (>0.99), r-χ2 (<64), and standard error values (<16). According to the Sips model, the maximum values of the adsorption capacity of PPAC/TG were 455.61, 470.86, and 477.37 mg/g at temperatures of 25, 30, and 35 °C, respectively. The adsorption kinetic of CV onto the PPAC/TG hydrogel biocomposite was well described by the pseudo-second-order model with R2 values more than 0.999 and r-χ2 values less than 12. Thermodynamic studies confirmed that the CV dye adsorption was spontaneous and endothermic. Furthermore, the prepared hydrogel exhibited excellent reusability, retaining its adsorption capacity even after being used more than five times. Overall, this study concludes that the prepared PPAC/TG exhibited a significant adsorption capacity for cationic dyes, indicating its potential as an effective and eco-friendly adsorbent for water treatment.

New insights into the adsorptive characteristics of trihalomethane precursors from surface water using magnetic powdered activated carbon

Powdered activated carbon (PAC) can effectively eliminate dissolved organic matter (DOM) as a precursor of trihalomethane (THM), but its application has raised concerns regarding its separation and the overelevated formation of brominate THM species in treated water after chlorination. Although magnetic PAC (Mag-PAC) has been proposed as an easily separable adsorbent for water treatment, its removal by Mag-PAC remains unknown. In this study, a novel Mag-PAC adsorbent for removing DOM and controlling THM formation from surface water was fabricated, evaluated using batch experiments, and compared with PAC. Our results found that Mag-PAC blended the advantages of PAC and magnetic particles, having an efficient removal performance toward DOM with an adsorption capacity of 2.84–3.69 mg-C/g and good magnetic separability of 10.15 emu/g. The iron oxide coating on the carbon matrices was predominantly distributed in the presence of crystalline goethite and magnetite structures. Chemisorption was the dominant mechanism of DOM adsorption by Mag-PAC. The sorption rate of DOM was influenced by the impregnation of iron oxide, but such impregnation did not significantly affect the DOM adsorption capacity. Aromatic DOM, humic-acid and fulvic-acid like compounds were efficiently adsorbed by the Mag-PAC. Compared with PAC, Mag-PAC exhibited a higher reduction in lifetime cancer risks from THMs through the ingestion pathway by decreasing the formation potential of trichloromethane and bromodichloromethane, which generated high unit risks among various THM species. These findings highlight the potential of Mag-PAC as an effective sorbent for DOM removal to control the formation of THM in surface water.

One-step green construction of granular composite hydrogels for ammonia nitrogen recovery from wastewater for crop growth promotion

The great application potential of hydrogel adsorbent in water treatment has been widely reported in recent years. However, practical application is severely restricted due to the tedious preparation procedures, high energy consumption, and potential environmental threat of spent adsorbent after adsorption. To address these challenges, a new method was proposed in this study to prepare granular hydrogel composites through one-step polymerization induced phase separation (PIPS), initiated via a redox reaction consisting with calcined oil shale semi-coke (COSSC) and active ingredients of in green tea (GT) at 40 °C. Then granular hydrogel was applied to remove NH4-N in wastewater, and the spent adsorbent after adsorbing was used as the medium for plant growth. The granular hydrogel exhibited a favorable swelling capacity of 205 g/g and excellent adsorption capacity of 40.2 mg/g for NH4-N. Remarkably, the adsorption process achieved equilibrium only within 30 min. To avoid the influence of soil and other factors, we conducted a soilless cultivation experiment, and the results showed that the total seed biomass of mung bean increased by 33.69% with adding 1% of spent hydrogels into the culture medium. Based on above excellent performance, this study presented a feasible idea for the green preparation granular hydrogel composites and offered a promising strategy for the sustainable utilization of spent adsorbent.

Occurrence, quantification and removal of triclosan in wastewater of Umbogintwini Industrial Complex in KwaMakhutha, South Africa

We report on the detection of an organic pollutant mostly found in local streams and wastewater treatment plants, specifically on triclosan detected in the Umbogintwini Industrial Complex (UIC), located on the south coast of Durban, KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. Triclosan was successfully extracted from effluent samples using molecularly imprinted membrane adsorbents (MIMs) before quantification and removal using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). This was done through fabrication of a polyvinylidene fluoride polymer using selective microparticles and molecularly imprinted polymers by means of phase inversion and an immersion precipitation method which results in enhanced hydrophilicity and membrane performance. The optimisation of experimental parameters – i.e. contact time and sample size – was performed through different stages of analysis. The synthesised MIMs exhibited an outstanding adsorption efficiency of 97% for triclosan in relation to those of non-imprinted membranes (NIMs) and pristine membranes at 92% and 88%, respectively. The analytical method employed had limits of detection and quantification of 0.21 and 0.69 parts per billion (ppb or μg/L) in wastewater effluent, respectively. The obtained efficiency results show great potential for future use of membrane and molecular imprinting technology, and that MIMs can be adopted as adsorbents for water treatment. The fast and highly selective methodology presented in this work could also be employed for the examination of persistent organic pollutants in the future to combat water scarcity in South Africa. Significance: The key finding of this work is the incorporation of molecularly imprinted polymers with a membrane adsorbent to improve the performance of the membrane. An unexpected finding was the existence of pollutants like triclosan in water within the boundaries of the KwaMakhutha community, near the human settlement. Among the MIMs, NIMs and bare membranes, higher removal efficiencies were displayed by the synthesised MIMs against the discovered pollutants. This work could open doors for advanced research in the community.