RBS Characterization of Arsenic(Ⅲ) Partitioning from Aqueous Phase into the Active Layers of Thin-Film Composite NF/RO Membranes

摘要

The main objective of this study was to apply Rutherford backscattering spectrometry (RBS) for characterizing the partitioning of arsenic(Ⅲ) from aqueous phase into the active layer of NF/RO membranes. NF/RO membranes with active layer materials including polyamide (PA), PA-polyvinyl alcohol derivative (PVA), and sulfonated-polyethersulfone (SPES) were investigated. The partition coefficient was found to be constant in the investigated As-(Ⅲ) concentration range of 0.005-0.02 M at each pH investigated. The partitioning of As(Ⅲ) when predominantly present as H_3AsO_3 (pH 3.5-8.0) was not affected by pH. In contrast, the partition coefficient of As(Ⅲ) at pH 10.5, when it was predominantly present as H_2AsO_3~-, was found to be approximately 33-49% lower than that of H_3AsO_3. The partition coefficients of H_3AsO_3 and H_2AsO_3~- for membranes containing PA in their active layers were within the respective ranges of 6.2-8.1 and 3.6-5.4, while the corresponding values (4.8 and 3.0, respectively) for the membrane with SPES active layer were approximately 30% lower than the average values for the PA membranes.