Recovery of Cr(VI) by using a novel calix[4]arene polymeric membrane with modified graphene quantum dots

Abstract

In this report, the recovery of Cr(VI) from chrome plating water by using a novel calix[4]arene-functionalized graphene quantum dots (GQDs) involved polymer inclusion membrane was investigated. The polymeric membrane supported by GQDs was characterized by using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The SEM and AFM results clearly show that there are much larger visible pores on the membrane surface after modification of polymer inclusion membrane with GQDs and the micropores in the membrane surface were vanished and performed with GQDs after modification of membrane. The transport efficiency of chromium was found to be 97.23% through the modified membrane from 0.1 M HCl as donor phase to pH 5 as an acceptor phase. The system is available for long-term usage. The highly selective and mechanical strength of membrane is developed by adding GQDs. Modified membrane exhibits significant stability and selectivity, and the system is used for the real samples.