Synthesis and characterization of polysulphone/clay membrane: effect of natural clay differences

Polysulphone/clay ion-exchange membranes were prepared by the phase inversion method using N-methyl-2 pyrrolidone as solvent. The aims of this work were to synthesize and investigate the effect of different natural clays from different locations on the morphology, hydrophilicity, structure, swellability, metal extraction from water and ion-exchange capacity (IEC) of the membranes prepared. The characterization techniques used were scanning electron microscopy, X‐ray diffractometry, Fourier transform infra-red spectroscopy and contact angle. The clays from locations 1 (N4) and 2 (N6) had a good dispersion in the polysulphone matrix and exhibited high IEC, swellability and hydrophilicity. The 2θ of the polysulphone/clay membranes compared to polysulphone membrane was lower, indicating an increase in the d-spacing between layers of the clays and also intercalation of clay layer silicates in the polymer matrix. Extraction/adsorption of Pb²⁺ by all the tested membranes was faster (10 min) compared to Cu²⁺, and it was approximately 100%.