Fabrication of High Value PET Based Membranes from Waste Plastic Bottles

Abstract

Use of organic membranes for purification and separation purpose is enhanced in modern era. Fabrication of these membranes is based on availability of different type of polymers. Recent literature has documented the effects of these polymers. Furthermore, use of these polymers boosts the cost of the membranes. At present, environment friendly, viable and cost effective materials are replacing these expensive polymers for the fabrication of membranes. In this view, current research work aims at the fabrication of polymeric membranes by incorporating eco-friendly and abundantly available waste plastic bottles (PET: polyethylene terephthalate) as a substrate. Initially PET was extracted from waste plastic bottles and then, was used to fabricate cost effective membranes. The extracted PET was characterized through FTIR analysis. Fabricated membranes were tested for desalination purpose. Water flux and salt rejection was measured and graphs were plotted. The results showed that an increase in polymer concentration resulted in form of decline in water flux and enhancement of salt rejection. This study also aims to provide easy and cost effective way to remove salts from sea water.