Preparation of NOx modified PMMA–EGDM composite membrane for the recovery of chromium (VI)

A non-interpenetrating cross-linked poly (methyl methacrylate–ethylene glycol dimethacrylate) copolymer ultrafiltration membrane on a microporous ceramic support has been prepared from the monomers in two stages. The polymer membranes thus obtained have been nitrated using NOx (a mixture of NO and NO2) by the gas phase reaction at 80 °C. Separation experiments on the chromium (VI) salt solution have been carried out using unmodified (giving 68% rejection per pass) and nitrated membranes (giving as much as 67% rejection per pass). For nitrated membranes, the water flux and the solute flux increased with time of nitration about hundred folds because of the increase in the hydrophilicity as well as the pore size.