Cellulose triacetate Polymer Inclusion Membrane (PIM) for dye removal

Abstract

In this study, polymer inclusion membrane (PIM) made from cellulose triacetate (CTA) and Aliquat 336 is used to extract congo red from aqueous solution. Important parameters such as Aliquat 336 concentration (0, 20, 30, 40 and 50 wt. %), pH of extraction solution (2, 4, 6, 8 and 10), concentration of congo red (2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 ppm), temperature (27, 30, 40, 50 and 60 C) and stirring speed (150, 200, 250,300 and 350 rpm) were studied in order to optimize the extraction capacity. The CTA-PIMs was also characterized by Fourier Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) in order to determine the functional group and the morphological structure of the PIMs respectively. From this study, 87% of Congo red was successfully removed after 24 hours by using CTA-PIM with 50 wt.% Aliquat 336. The optimum condition was found to be at pH 2, with temperature and stirring speed of 30 C and 150 rpm respectively.