Fabrication of industrially feasible zeolite membrane for the removal of hexavalent chromium

Abstract

The present study proposed fabricating an industrially feasible zeolite membrane on an indigenously developed inexpensive tubular ceramic substrate. A type of zeolite framework, Faujasite, was deposited on the substrate using source materials, such as alumina and silica, by hydrothermal treatment. The membrane was characterised by XRD, FESEM, zeta potential, and contact angle analyses. Distinguishable physical and structural characteristics of the zeolite membrane from ceramic substrate substantiated a formation of the composite membrane. Further, the potentiality of the membrane was assessed on the removal of hexavalent chromium from synthetic wastewater at various operating parameters in a crossflow system. The prepared membrane offered a maximum chromium removal of 82% with a flux of 5.05 × 10-5 m3m-2s-1 at the operating conditions of 1,000 ppm concentration, 345 kPa pressure, and 1.11 × 10-6 m3s-1 crossflow rate. The membrane revealed its essential employment by providing a higher flux with better rejection than other membranes applied in chromium removal.