Abstract: In this study, ethylene diamine (EDA) was grafted on carboxyl-modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs-COOH) to obtain amino-functionalized MWNTs (MWNTs-NH2). Pb(II)-imprinted MWNTs was prepared by using MWNTs-NH2 via lead ion-imprinted technology to improve the selective adsorption of MWNTs to lead ions. Pb (II)-imprinted MWNTs were incorporated in polyether sulfone (PES) matrix to prepare PES/Pb (II)-imprinted MWNTs mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) by phase separation process. The hydrophilicity and antifouling property of pure PES membrane was improved by incorporating Pb(II)-imprinted MWNTs. Pb(II)-imprinted MWNTs and PES/Pb (II)-imprinted MWNTs MMMs possessed higher adsorption to lead ions than other metal ions, as well as showed selective adsorption to lead ions in the mixed solution including four different metal ions such as Pb2+, Zn2+, Co2+ and Ca2+. The results provided new insights for the removal of lead ions by MMMs embedded with Pb(II)-imprinted MWNTs with high recovery
Template and target information: lead ion, Pb(II)
Author keywords: Polyether sulfone (PES), Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs), Mixed matrix membranes (MMMs), lead ions, adsorption