Novel sulfur-containing 2,6-diamino pyridine-based polymer as an additive in polyethersulfone: An effective membrane for removal of mercury (II) ion and dye pollutants

In an easy and effective reaction, a new dithiocarbamate copolymer was synthesized using N,N′-(pyridine-2,6-diyl)bis(2-chloroacetamide), carbon disulfide, and diethyl amine and characterized. To use this sulfur-containing polymer in the modification of membrane for the improving heavy metal removal, it was blended as an additive in ratios of 1, 2, 5, and 10 (wt%) in the matrix of polyethersulfone (PES). The membranes were made by casting method and nonsolvent immersion precipitation in water. The obtained membranes were characterized by the water contact angle, ATR-FTIR, SEM, porosity and AFM. It was seen that this additive increases the thickness of the surface layer, and pores beneath the layer, and also goes up the hydrophilic properties of the PES membrane. These membranes had excellent membrane functions in terms of PWF up to 472 L/m2h at 3 bar. Also, it was seen they can remove mercury pollution in the water up to 99.8% (the second water pollutant in the world) and reactive yellow 160 synthetic dyes up to 90.6% (RY160; which are mostly used in textile industries).