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Microfiltration/ultrafiltration (MF/UF) Adsorptive polyamide-6 (PA-6) membranes were prepared using wet phase inversion process. The prepared PA-6 membranes are characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), porosity and swelling degree. In this study, the membranes performance has examined by adsorptive removal of copper ions from aqueous solutions in a batch adsorption mode. The PA-6/H2O membranes display sponge like and highly porous structures, with porosities of 41-73%. Under the conditions examined, the adsorption experiments have showed that the PA-6/H2O membranes had a good adsorption capacity (up to 120-280 mg/g at the initial copper ion concentration (C0) = 680 mg/L, pH7), fast adsorption rates and short adsorption equilibrium times (less than 1.5-2 hrs) for copper ions. The fast adsorption in this study may be attributed to the high porosities and large pore sizes of the PA-6/H2O membranes, which have facilitated the transport of copper ions to the adsorption. The results obtained from the study illustrated that the copper ions which have adsorbed on the polyamide membranes can be effectively desorbed in an Ethylene dinitrilotetra acetic acid Di sodium salt (Na2 EDTA) solution from initial concentration (up to 92% desorption efficiency) and the PA-6 membranes can be reused almost without loss of the adsorption capacity for copper ions. The results obtained from the study suggested that the PA-6/H2O membranes can be effectively applied for the adsorptive removal of copper ions from aqueous solutions.

Membrane separation technologies have some of advantages are considered a better alternative to traditional methods. Research of novel membranes is very vital for covering the higher required of membrane in several purposes like water desalting technology. In this work polyamide-6/cellulose acetate (PA-6/CA) blend membrane was developed according to the wet phase inversion system. The structures of the prepared membranes were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). SEM images showed uniform particles distribution in the prepared membranes. Moreover, SEM images revealed that the membranes have relatively uniform surface (PA-6/CA). PA-6/CA blend membranes systems are evaluated by using synthetic NaCl solution. The separation performance showed that salt rejection increased with increasing of heat treatment of the casted films and it was improved with increasing of operating pressure.