Bernabé L Rivas
University of Concepcion, Chile
Title: Polymers and nanocomposites to remove inorganic contaminants in water
Biography
Biography: Bernabé L Rivas
Abstract
Membrane filtration easily allows this separation by means of the method known as the liquid-phase polymer-based retention (LPR) technique. Applications of water-soluble polymers to the homogeneous enrichment or selective separation of various metal ions from dilute solutions have been reported. Through to washing or enrichment methods, Cr(VI), V(V), Mo(VI), B(V), and As(V) removal experiments were carried out at different pH using water-soluble cationic polymers (WSCPs) containing quaternary ammonium salts. The results showed the highest retention capacity of oxyanions depending on the pH. Polymer-clay nanocomposites researchers have presented a great attention from the scientific community because nanocomposites materials present enhanced properties (mechanical, thermal, and barrier properties) compared with starting material (unloaded polymers). The use of polymer matrix with organic functional with the capability to retain ion and filler such as clays lead to nanocomposite ion exchange resins. We have studied polymer nanocomposite loaded with layered double hydroxide (LDH) as sorbents for oxyanions such as arsenate, chromate, and vanadate. Under different experimental conditions, the composite exhibited a high sorption reaching almost a 100% of removal. Also, the sorption of oxyanions presented a fast kinetics. Selectivity experiments showed that there is not a significant decrease in sorption capacity.