Surface decoration of bis-aminosilane cross-linked multiwall carbon nanotube ultrafiltration membrane for fast and efficient heavy metal removal

Abstract Heavy metals (HMs) are highly toxic water pollutants abundant in industrial wastewater. Herein, a bis[3-(trimethoxysilyl)propyl]amine (BTMSPA) cross-linked multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) nanomaterial (CQACNT) was synthesized by silanization of MWCNT-OH followed grafting positively charged quaternary ammonium groups (glycidyl trimethyl chloride (GTMAC)) an epoxide ring-opening reaction. The composite membranes were prepared the incorporation CQACNT into poly(ether sulfone) (PES) polymer matrix. CQACNT-6 membrane exhibited 3.5-fold increase pure permeability (PWP; 312.8 L m ?2 h ?1 bar ) as compared to pristine PES (CQACNT-0) (89.6 ). Moreover, showed high HM removal rates (Pb: 89.53%; Ni: 90.42%; Cu: 91.43%; Zn: 91.86%) CQACNT-0 39.73%; 40.32%; 42.52%; and 43.91%). After 9 treatment cycles, retained up 87%, 94% its initial PWP Cu 2+ rejection, respectively, only 58%, 54%, respectively for CQACNT-0. enhanced surface features MWCNTS, resulting competitive due electrostatic repulsion between porous membranes, well PWP.