The production of new ultrafiltration membranes and using in removal of heavy metals from aqueous solutions

In this study firstly prepared new poly(vinyl pyrrolidone)-poly(vinyl alcohol)/cellulose composite membrane and characterized. Then this new membrane was applied for removing Fe(III) and Cu(II) ions from aqueous solutions for absence and presence of complexing agent. For this purpose metal ions were complexed by using alginic acid for enhancing the retention. The filtration studies were done by using batch stirred ultrafiltration cell. Some parameters were selected for these studies such as pressure, pH and concentration of solution. As a result of these studies maximum retention was found as 80 % for 0,3x10-4 M Fe(III) solutions at a velocity of 400 rpm, pressure of 40 Psi and at pH 3 in the presence of alginic acid by using 2 (w/v) % poly(vinyl pyrrolidone)- 2 (w/v) % poly(vinyl alcohol)/cellulose composite membrane. The maximum retention for Cu(II) solutions was also found as 82,9 % by using 2 (w/v) % poly(vinyl pyrrolidone)- 2 (w/v) % poly(vinyl alcohol)cellulose membrane when filtration was carried out in the presence of AA at pH 6,0, pressure of 30 Psi, concentration of 0,5x10-4 M Cu(II) solutions and velocity of 400 rpm.