An all‐green cellulose acetate/corn cob composite membrane filter: A critical evaluation of its morphology and adsorption characteristics for dyes and heavy metals

Abstract

AbstractIndustrial wastewater from various manufacturing sectors poses a significant environmental concern due to the release of dyes, heavy metals, and pollutants into natural water streams. Effective treatment of large volumes of industrial wastewater is crucial to mitigate this issue. Conventional industrial wastewater filtration systems often prove to be inefficient, necessitating the exploration of alternative and cost‐effective water filtration methods. In this study, we drew inspiration from the natural adsorption and purification properties of corncob to develop a novel green composite membrane filter. The composite membrane filters, named MCAPCB and MCATPCB, were formulated by incorporating powdered corncob (PCB) and alkali/hydrogen peroxide‐treated powdered corncob (TPCB) into cellulose acetate. The adsorption properties of the composite filters were evaluated using UV–Vis spectrophotometry for dye adsorption and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP‐OES) and atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) for heavy metal adsorption. The results demonstrated that MCATPCB20, incorporating 20 wt% TPCB, exhibited remarkable performance in the removal of methylene blue dye, with an adsorption efficiency of 97.46%. In comparison, MCAPCB20, incorporating 20 wt% PCB, achieved a dye adsorption efficiency of 80.15%. Moreover, MCATPCB20 displayed exceptional heavy metal removal capabilities, effectively rejecting 98% and 95% of cadmium and lead, respectively, from water samples containing 1 ppm of each metal. The composite filter membranes containing 20 wt% TPCB exhibited superior adsorption efficiency, flexibility, and stability. This enhanced performance can be attributed to the higher carboxyl content in TPCB, achieved through alkali treatment, which significantly increased the adsorption capacity of MCATPCB20. Characterization studies employing XRD, SEM, contact angle, BET, ICP‐OES, and UV measurements further supported the efficacy of MCATPCB as an effective filter system for water purification.