Adsorption of Cu2+ From Water Onto PVDF Electrospinning Membrane Functionalized γ-Al2O3 Nanoparticles

Abstract

In recent years, heavy metal ion pollution issues occur frequently, and the prevention and control of heavy metal pollution have become an urgent environmental problem for human beings. To reduce the harm caused by heavy metal ion pollution, γ-Al₂O₃/polyvinylidene fluoride (γ-Al₂O₃/PVDF) composite membranes were prepared by electrospinning technology. The microstructures, phase structures, mechanical properties, and adsorption properties of the composite membrane were characterized by SEM, XRD, universal testing machine, and spectrophotometer. The results showed that the γ-Al₂O₃/PVDF composite fibers were randomly deposited, and the diameter of the fibers varied from 1.65 to 2.35 μm. The three-dimensional network structures were formed and the porosity was as high as 85.28%. When the content of γ-Al₂O₃ was 4%, the tensile strength of γ-Al₂O₃/PVDF composite membrane was the highest, which was 11.33 MPa. When the content of γ-Al₂O₃ was 6%, the adsorption capacity of γ-Al₂O₃/PVDF composite membrane on Cu²⁺ was the maximum. After adsorption, the adsorption capacity was 152.65 mg/g. The pseudo-second-order adsorption kinetics equation was suitable for describing the adsorption process; it meant that the adsorption process might be a chemical adsorption. These findings suggest that the γ-Al₂O₃/PVDF composite membranes have great potential in the application of water treatment.