BaCO3 nanoparticles embedded retentive and cation selective membrane for separation/recovery of Mg2 + from natural water sources

•BaCO3 nanoparticles embedded Mg2 + retentive membranes•Electro-membrane process for recovery of Mg2 + from natural water sources•Cation-exchange membrane with Mg2 + retention property•Stable and selective membrane with good conductivity and ion-exchange capacity

BaCO3 nanoparticles (NPs) (20 and 100 nm) were prepared using poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP) as stabilizer. The prepared NPs showed high adsorption capacity for Mg2 + in presence of other cations (Na+, Ca2 + etc.). BaCO3 nanoparticles embedded sulphonated poly(ether sulfone) (SPS) membranes were prepared, which showed Mg2 + retentive and cation selective properties. These membranes exhibited good thermal, mechanical, and chemical stabilities along with conductivity and ion-exchange capacity due to SPS matrix. Mg2 + retentive nature of these membranes was attributed to the embedded BaCO3 NPs. Further, SPS-NPE membrane was assessed suitable for electro-separation process. Electrodialytic studies confirmed very high retention values for Mg2 + in comparison with Na+ and Ca2 +. The energy consumption of proposed process suggested suitability of these membranes for separation/recovery of Mg2 + from natural water resources.