Removal of hydrocarbons of 4-Nitrophenol by emulsion liquid membrane (ELM) using magnetic Fe2O3 nanoparticles and ionic liquid

Emulsion liquid membrane (ELM) is an emerging technology to remove the hydrocarbons from industrial wastewater and water. For the first time, the effects of the combination of magnetic nanoparticles and ionic liquid in ELM (water/organic/water) on the removal efficiency of 4-Nitrophenol as an example of hydrocarbons from synthetic wastewater was investigated. The 4-Nitrophenol removal efficiency of 99 % in 1 min was achieved and the emulsion stability was improved significantly to 81 % for 6 hours with the use of combination of surface-modified 0.05 % (W/VV) magnetic Fe2O3 nanoparticles and 0.05 % (V/V) ionic liquid [BMIM]+[NTf2]- in ELM. Demulsifying emulsifier particles from the interfaces of the droplets can be enhanced by using a magnetic force without causing a change in the oil phase chemistry. The outcomes of this study can be extended to the removal of other hydrocarbons and polar pollutants from industrial wastewater and water.

Automated summary

In this study, the combination of surface-modified magnetic nanoparticles and ionic liquid in ELM significantly improved the removal efficiency of 4-Nitrophenol from synthetic wastewater, achieving 99% removal in 1 minute and improving emulsion stability to 81% for 6 hours. The use of magnetic force to demulsify emulsifier particles without changing the oil phase chemistry shows promise for the removal of other hydrocarbons and polar pollutants from industrial wastewater and water.