In the current study, a novel Al-Ti2O6 nanoparticles and polysulfone composite membranes were prepared and used for the removal of heavy metal ions. Al-Ti2O6 was prepared by precipitation method and the membranes were prepared by diffusion induced phase separation method with different compositions of Al-Ti2O6. The prepared Al-Ti2O6 nanoparticle was confirmed by XRD, and SEM analysis. However, FE-SEM was used to confirm the presence of nanoparticles in the membrane. EDX and elemental mapping were performed to confirm uniform distribution of nanoparticles in the membranes. The hydrophilicity of the membrane was measured by contact angle, water uptake and water flux study and it was increased with respect to increasing concentration of nanoparticles. Performance of the membrane was analyzed by rejection of heavy metals such as As, Cd, and Pb. The membrane was showed rejection percentage of about 96 % for As, 98% for Cd and 99% for Pb. The concentration of nanoparticles and filtration time was investigated in detail. The obtained results prove Al-Ti2O6 a mixed metal oxide composite membrane a potential candidate for the removal of As, Cd, and Pb.

Introduction

In recent times, membrane has become an engine for separation and purification processes [1-6]. The membrane market geared in an astounding way. A more number of membranes are required for fulfill the membrane market. Thin film composite membrane (TFC) [7], cellulose acetate [8], polysulfone (PSf) [9], Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) [10], Polyethylenimine (PEI) [11] and chitosan [12] membranes are presently available in the market. Still, there is a vast requirement of materials for membrane in present market as the existing materials has their own drawbacks. Recent year’s water pollution has increasing due to urbanization and development of industries and less availability of ground water. The effect of water contamination is so serious it can’t be recovered thorough existing membranes. Meanwhile, the concentration of these pollutants increased rapidly which is extremely unsafe to the earth. However, ground water is also full of hazard materials. The heavy metals emitting from the industry rich in concentration are arsenic, chromium, cadmium, lead, nickel, copper, and mercury. Overwhelming metal contamination is a genuine natural issue, which has an extraordinary damage to human well-being. The productive evacuation of overwhelming metal particles in water has been a hot research theme in the field of wastewater treatment. In this unique circumstance, a definite cautious evaluation of both environmental and economic issue sought to be considered [13- 15]. The complete aquatic system is in trouble because of these heavy metals [16].