Fully biobased affinity membrane processing and its application in the removal of heavy metal ions from mirror industry effluents were successfully demonstrated; indicating the potential use of these membranes in point-of-use or point-of-entry water cleaning products that are cheap, environmentally friendly and efficient. Layered cellulose nanocomposite membranes were fabricated using cellulose microfiber sludge as a support layer and cellulose nanocrystals (CNCSL, CNCBE or PCNCSL) in a gelatin matrix as the functional layer. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies revealed the bi-layered morphology of the membrane and well-individualized nanocelluloses in the functional layer. Bubble point measurements confirmed the membrane pore structure in the microfiltration range (5.0-6.1 μm), which provided very high water permeability (900-4000 L h-1 m-2) at <1.5 bars. A tensile strength of 16 MPa in dry conditions and a wet strength of 0.2 MPa, was considered sufficient for use of these membranes in spiral wound modules. Mirror industry effluent laden with metal ions (Ag+ and Cu2+/Fe3+/Fe2+) when treated with cellulose nanocomposite membranes, showed high ion removal capacity, being 100% for PCNCSL followed by CNCBE than CNCSL. The removal of metal ions was expected to be driven by interactions between negatively charged nanocellulose and the positively charged metal ions.
Validerad; 2016; Nivå 2; 20160217 (magr)