Mercapto-functionalized ordered mesoporous silica-modified PVDF membrane for efficiently scavenging Cd2+ from water.

Abstract In this study, (3-mercaptopropyl) triethoxysilane (MPTMS)-modified ordered mesoporous silica (OMS) materials were prepared using a post-grifting method, with MPTMS as the organic functionalized reagent. The OMS materials were analyzed by FT-IR spectra, N2 sorption, and small angle X-ray scattering to evaluate their potential for scavenging Cd2+ from water. Moreover, a (3-mercaptopropyl) triethoxysilane-functionalized ordered mesoporous silica modified polyvinylidene fluoride (MPTMS-OMS/PVDF) membrane was synthesized using the solvent phase inversion method to remediate wastewater containing heavy metal ions. The MPTMS-OMS was characterized by a maximum specific surface area of 422 m2/g, high surface hydrophilicity, and high pure water flux. The MPTMS-OMS/PVDF exhibited a dynamic adsorption capacity for Cd2+ in water. At an MPTMS-OMS content of 5 wt%, the Cd2+ removal efficiency was 90%, whereas the pure PVDF showed no Cd2+ adsorption capacity. These results highlight the potential of the MPTMS-OMS/PVDF membrane to eliminate Cd2+ during the decontamination of aqueous streams containing low-concentrations of contaminants.