Antifouling Membranes Based on Cellulose Acetate (CA) Blended with Poly(acrylic acid) for Heavy Metal Remediation

Fouling has been widely recognized as the Achilles’ heel of membrane processes and growing perception about relevance this critical issue driven development advanced antifouling strategies. Herein, novel fouling-resistant ultrafiltration (UF) membranes for Cadmium (Cd) remediation were developed via a blending method by combining flexibility cellulose acetate (CA) with complex properties poly(acrylic acid) (PAA). A systematic characterization, based on differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), confirmed homogeneity blend favored hydrogen interconnections between CA PAA polymeric chains. The concentration respect to played key role in tuning morphology hydrophilic character UF prepared non-solvent-induced phase separation (NIPS). experiments revealed tremendous advantages since CA/PAA showed superior performance neat terms (i) water permeability; (ii) Cd rejection; (iii) resistance humic acid (HA). Concisely, increasing casting solution was found be beneficial improve flux recovery ratio (FRR) coupled decline total fouling (Rt). Overall, is an effective additive prepare enhanced exploitable bodies contaminated heavy metals process.