Functionalized microfiltration membranes containing iron nanoparticles are a novel platform for organic pollutant degradation reactions and for selective removal of contaminants such as heavy metals, without the drawback of potential nanoparticle loss to the environment. These environmentally friendly and sustainable technology approaches allow various water treatment applications exploit the enhanced water transport through the membrane pores. The present work deals with “green” techniques to create nanocomposite materials based on sponge-like membranes for water remediation containing chlorinated organic compounds. First, hydrophobic hollow fiber microfiltration membranes (HF) of polyvinylidene fluoride were hydrophilized using a water-based chemistry process with polyvinylpyrrolidone and persulfate. HF and flat sheet membrane pores were then functionalized with poly(acrylic acid) hydrogel followed by a double ion exchange sodium/iron and subsequent in situ synthesis of bimetallic Fe/Pd nanoparticles. The nanocomposite membrane modifications were determined by contact angle, surface free energy and infrared spectroscopy. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by electronic microscopy, X-ray spectrometry, image analysis and other techniques. Nanoparticle sizes between 193 and 301 nm were obtained for each of the membranes. Depending on the concentration of the dopant (Pd) in the membrane, the catalytic activity (established by trichloroethylene (TCE) reduction) was enhanced up to tenfold compared to other reported results. Chloride produced in reduction was close to the stoichiometric 3/1 (Cl<sup>-</sup>/TCE), indicating absence of reaction intermediates.

Iron nanoparticle immobilized flat sheet and hollow fiber membranes for water remediation

251st National Meeting (2016)

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