A novel Zr-based nanoparticle-embedded PSF blend hollow fiber membrane for treatment of arsenate contaminated water: Material development, adsorption and filtration studies, and characterization

Arsenic contamination in natural water has received a great attention due to its high toxicity, ease in accumulation in human body, and high carcinogenicity. A novel Zr-based nano-particle (NP) PSF blend hollow fiber membrane (HFM) was successfully fabricated for removal of arsenate from the aqueous solution. The NP-embedded HFM was characterized by morphology, hydrophilicity, porosity, water flux, mechanical strength and arsenic adsorption capacity. It was shown that the addition of NP changed the structure of the membranes and increased hydrophilicity, by which the water flux of the HFM was enhanced. The batch adsorption experiments indicated that the membrane could effectively remove arsenate at pH ranging from 2 to 9 and the maximum adsorption capacity was as high as 131.78 mg/g that was much higher than many commercialized materials. The adsorption equilibrium could be established in 48 h. Such co-existing anions as carbonate, fluoride, silicate and phosphate species had less significant effect on the adsorption. The membrane could remove arsenate efficiently via the continuous filtration, even in the presence of humic acid. A good performance for regeneration with a high recovery rate of 90.1% was achieved. The cytotoxicity analysis through the breast cancer stem cell line (MCF7) indicated that the water treated by the HFM was safe for human consumption. Finally, the XPS study showed that the hydroxyl and sulfate groups were associated with the uptake of arsenic. The sulfate played a key role in the arsenate removal.