ZINC IMIDAZOLE SALICYLALDOXIME-BASED ADSORBENT MEMBRANES FOR THE REMOVAL OF METAL IONS FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS

Abstract

The present invention relates to a metal cation capture membrane, its method of preparation, and its use. The membrane comprises a nanosheet of the zinc imidazole salicylaldoxime (ZIOS) supramolecule, with a hexagonal sheet morphology, deposited on a porous support (such as PVDF, polysulfone, or nylon) with pores ranging from 0.01 micrometers to 3 micrometers. The method comprises incubating the support, optionally coated with polydopamine and polyethyleneimine, with a solution of zinc nitrate hexahydrate, 2-methylimidazole, salicylaldoxime, and a viscosity enhancer (such as PVA), between 20 °C and 60 °C. The invention is applicable to the removal of transition metal ions (Ni, Cu, Mn, and Co) by passing wastewater, brine, or mine drainage with a pH of 2.5 to 8 through the membrane.