(248ao) A Novel Y2O3-Psf Membrane for Treatment of Arsenate Contaminated Water

In this study,  the Y₂O₃-PSF membrane is effective for the pH range of pH4 to pH7, with the optimal pH at pH4. The adsorption equilibrium could be reached for pH4 and pH7 in 48hours(2 days) and 120hours(5 days) respectively, much slower then when the particles were independent. The experimental datas were a better fit for the pseudo first-order model and Langmuir isotherm. The maximum As^V adsorption capacity of the membrane is 84.8mg/g, reasonably high when compared to available adsorbents. Coexisting ions such as SO₄^2-, HCO₃^- , HA did not significantly affect the arsenic uptake. PO₄^3- and F^- however, were shown to have severely impacted the arsenic adsorption. The regeneration ability of the membrane was weak as arsenic adsorption dropped to 19%, 10% and 5.5% for Cycle 1, 2 and 3 respectively. The Y₂O₃-PSF membrane also had a poor filtration result, capable of filtering 6.5mL/cm³ of 89.9µg/L of As (V) at optimal pH. The membrane is characterized using the Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) and its Point of Zero Charge (PZC). The mechanism is also understood by the XPS analysis.