Removal of endocrine disrupting chemicals from water through urethane functionalization of microfiltration membranes via electron beam irradiation

doi:10.1007/s11783-024-1805-6

Front. Environ. Sci. Eng.

2024, Vol. 18

Issue (4) : 45 https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-024-1805-6

RESEARCH ARTICLE

Removal of endocrine disrupting chemicals from water through urethane functionalization of microfiltration membranes via electron beam irradiation

Zahra Niavarani¹, Daniel Breite¹, Muhammad Yasir², Vladimir Sedlarik², Andrea Prager¹, Nadja Schönherr¹, Bernd Abel³, Roger Gläser³, Agnes Schulze¹(

)

¹. Leibniz Institute of Surface Engineering eV. (IOM), Permoserstrasse 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
². Centre of Polymer Systems, University Institute, Tomas Bata University in Zlin, Trida Tomase Bati 5678, 76001 Zlin, Czech Republic
³. Institute of Chemical Technology, Leipzig University, Linnestrasse 3, 04103 Leipzig, Germany

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Abstract

● Urethane functionalities created on PES membranes via electron beam irradiation.

● Water contact angle decreased from 58° to 52°, higher hydrophilicity.

● 13% increase in water permeability via functionalization.

● 17β-estradiol adsorption enhanced by five times.

● Functionalized membranes reused for three cycles without a loss of adsorption capacity.

Polyethersulphone (PES) membranes modified with urethane functional groups were prepared through an interfacial reaction using electron beam irradiation. The removal of eight endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) was studied using both pristine and functionalized PES membranes. The prepared membranes underwent characterization using several techniques, including attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, contact angle analysis, and measurements of pure water flux. Furthermore, dynamic adsorption experiments were conducted to evaluate the adsorption mechanism of the prepared membrane toward the eight EDCs. The urethane functionalized membranes were hydrophilic (52° contact angle) and maintained a high permeate flux (26000 L/h m² bar) throughout the filtration process. Dynamic adsorption results demonstrated that the introduction of urethane functional groups on the membranes significantly enhanced the removal efficiency of 17β-estradiol, estriol, bisphenol A, estrone, ethinylestradiol, and equilin. The adsorption loading of 17β-estradiol on the functionalized PES membrane was 6.7 ± 0.7 mg/m², exhibiting a 5-fold increase compared to the unmodified PES membrane. The membranes were successfully regenerated and reused for three adsorption cycles without experiencing any loss of adsorption capacity.

Keywords Surface functionalization Electron beam irradiation Microfiltration Endocrine disrupting chemicals

Corresponding Author(s): Agnes Schulze

Issue Date: 18 December 2023

Cite this article:

Zahra Niavarani,Daniel Breite,Muhammad Yasir, et al. Removal of endocrine disrupting chemicals from water through urethane functionalization of microfiltration membranes via electron beam irradiation[J]. Front. Environ. Sci. Eng., 2024, 18(4): 45.

URL:

https://academic.hep.com.cn/fese/EN/10.1007/s11783-024-1805-6
https://academic.hep.com.cn/fese/EN/Y2024/V18/I4/45

Fig.1 Schematic illustration of the modification route. The membrane is soaked in PVA aqueous solution followed by exposure to electron beam irradiation. Ultimately, the PVA-immobilized membranes are immersed in an HDI solution to facilitate the interfacial reaction.

Tab.1 EDCs and their properties

Fig.2 SEM image (top side) of (a, b) unmodified PES and (c, d) of functionalized PES membranes.

Tab.2 Water contact angle, permeance, and XPS analysis of pristine and modified PES membranes

Fig.3 ATR-FTIR spectra of pristine and modified PES membranes. (a) the full spectra at 4000–500 cm⁻¹, (b) spectra at 1160–1100 cm⁻¹, (c) spectra at 1964–1611 cm⁻¹, (d) spectra at 1762–1690 cm⁻¹, (e) spectra at 1330–1280 cm⁻¹, (f) spectra at 2341–2141 cm⁻¹, (g) spectra at 2964–2894 cm⁻¹; and (h) spectra at 3470–3300 cm⁻¹.

Fig.4 Breakthrough curves and adsorption loading of different EDCs adsorbed to the pristine and functionalized PES membranes.

Fig.5 Enhancement factors measured for each EDC.

Fig.6 Regeneration and subsequent adsorption cycles of pristine and functionalized PES membranes.

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