Implementation of hierarchically porous zeolite-polymer membrane for Chromium ions removal

Abstract

This work deals with the preparation of a zeolite/polymer flat sheet membrane with hierarchical porosity and ion-exchange properties. The performance of the prepared membrane was examined by the removal of chromium ions from simulated wastewater. A NaY zeolite (crystal size of 745.8 nm) was prepared by conventional hydrothermal treatment and fabricated with polyethersulfone (15% PES) in dimethylformamide (DMF) to obtain an ion-exchange ultrafiltration membrane. The permeate flux was enhanced by increasing the zeolite content within the membrane texture indicating increasing the hydrophilicity of the prepared membranes and constructing a hierarchically porous system. A membrane containing 0.8% zeolite gave the higher %Rejection of chromium ions (about 83.2%) for an initial chromium ion concentration of 150 ppm and trans-membrane pressure of 1 bar.