Removal of boron from water through soluble polymer based on N-methyl-D-glucamine and regenerated-cellulose membrane

WOS: 000366662900038This paper presents a systematic study of boron removal from simulated and real aqueous systems in northern Chile by means of polymer-enhanced ultrafiltration. Poly(glycidyl methacrylate-N-methyl-D-glucamine), P(GMA-NMG), was used to form complexes with boron, and a cellulose-regenerated membrane was used as a complex separator. The first tests were performed using two simulated water samples from northern Chile with the same pH and concentrations of boron, arsenic, and chloride. P(GMA-NMG) showed a maximum of 60% boron retention for these artificial waters. Studies of boron enrichment using P(GMA-NMG) with simulated water showed that the soluble polymer reached maximum retention capacity values between 2.0 and 4.0mg of B retained per gram of polymer. SEM images and FTIR spectroscopy confirm the deposition of the polymer on the surface of the membrane after polymer-enhanced ultrafiltration, which explains the permeate flux decay observed in retention experiments. Finally, sorption-desorption tests of boron from real water samples show that it is possible to use the polymer P(GMA-NMG) to remove boron from waters of northern Chile. It is also possible to release the retentate and regenerate the water-soluble polymer.7FP-MC Actions Grant, so-called CHILTURPOL2 (PIRSES-GA-2009 Project) [269153]; FONDECYTComision Nacional de Investigacion Cientifica y Tecnologica (CONICYT)CONICYT FONDECYT [1110079, 3120048]; PIA [Grant Anillo ACT 130]; REDOC (MINEDUC Project) [UCO1202]; CIPA; Laboratorio Ambiental, Direccion General de Aguas, ChileThe authors are grateful for the 7FP-MC Actions Grant, so-called CHILTURPOL2 (PIRSES-GA-2009 Project, Grant Number: 269153). The authors are also grateful for the financial supported provided through grants from FONDECYT (No. 1110079) and PIA (Grant Anillo ACT 130). Julio Sanchez thank REDOC (MINEDUC Project UCO1202 at U. de Concepcion), FONDECYT (postdoctoral Grant Number 3120048), CIPA, and Laboratorio Ambiental, Direccion General de Aguas, Chile, for supplying real water samples