Ball-milled Cu2S nanoparticles as an efficient additive for modification of the PVDF ultrafiltration membranes: Application to separation of protein and dyes. Issue 2 (April 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Karimi, Atefeh; Khataee, Alireza; Ghadimi, Ali; Vatanpour, Vahid
• Is Part Of: Journal of environmental chemical engineering. Volume 9:Issue 2(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-04
• Subjects: Chalcocite -- Cu2S nanoparticles -- Ball-milling -- PVDF ultrafiltration membranes -- Dye rejection; Chemical engineering -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Environmental engineering -- Periodicals; Chemical engineering -- Environmental aspects; Environmental engineering; Periodicals; 660.0286
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jece.2021.105115
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2213-2929

Abstract

Abstract: This study reports the fabrication and application of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) ultrafiltration membranes embedded with various concentrations of the Cu2 S nanoparticles. The Cu2 S nanoparticles were generated from natural chalcocite applying a high energy planetary ball-milling technique. Non-solvent induced phase separation method was used for the fabrication of the membranes and characterized with scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX), atomic force microscopy (AFM), porosity and static water contact angle measurements. The results of the contact angle and porosity revealed the increased hydrophilicity and porosity of the nanocomposite membranes as a result of the addition of Cu2 S leads to water permeation improvement. The nanocomposite membrane with 0.2 wt% of Cu2 S nanoparticles exhibited a maximum water flux of 248.25 Lm −2 h −1 and flux recovery ratio (FRR) value of 92.4%, which showed 65% and 19% increase compared with the control PVDF membrane. Meanwhile, the nanocomposite membranes were able to highly reject the anionic dyes such as reactive blue 21 (RB21), direct black 38 (DB38), and direct yellow 12 (DY12). Graphical Abstract: ga1 Highlights: Production of the nano-sized Cu2 S nanoparticles with ball-milling of chalcocite. Preparation and characterization of the Cu2 S-modified ultrafiltration membranes. Higher water permeation and fouling resistance of the Cu2 S-modified membranes. Efficient removal of RB21, DB38 and DY12 using Cu2 S/PVDF nanocomposite membranes.