Effects of Halloysite Nanotube (HNT) on the Cd²⁺ Adsorption Capacity of Cellulose Acetate (CA) Thin Film Membranes

Abstract

This paper aims to investigate the effects of adding and increasing the concentration of halloysite nanotube (HNT) to a cellulose acetate (CA) membrane which is produced through non-solvent-induced phase separation via hand casting. Different characterization tests are performed on the nanocomposite samples: Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS). The addition of the filler itself increases the presence of peaks and valleys on the surface of the nanocomposite membrane. The 5% HNT nanocomposite membrane has the largest peaks and valleys-both in size and number. Using the following contact times: 2, 4, and 6 hours, the adsorption capacity of the CA-HNT membranes is obtained with the aid of AAS results. The 5% HNT sample leads to a nanocomposite membrane with a higher adsorption capacity relative to that of a pure CA membrane.