Effect of electron beam irradiation on the metal ion removal of water treatment filter made of nanocellulose

Abstract

This study examined the effect of electron beam irradiation on the performance of metal ion absorbing filters made of cellulose nanofibrils (CNFs). The many types of CNFs were made by electron beam irradiation, carboxymethylation, and micro-grinding. The filters consisted of two layers, which is because the two layers had different roles: The top layer supported the strength of the CNF filter, and the bottom layer adsorbed the metal ions. The CNF filter was produced by vacuum filtration and the use of two types of CNF slurries. In addition, the capacity to remove Fe ions from water was analyzed by carrying out high-pressure filtration experiments with a 1,000 ppm concentration of the Fe standard solution, using the same methods as the previous study. The electron beam irradiation increased the negative charge of carboxymethylated CNFs and improved the burst strength of CNF pads. These positive effects improved CNF filters' capacity to adsorb Fe ions.