The removal of Malachite Green (MG) using Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)-based Polymer Inclusion Membranes (PIMs)

Nowadays, various industries discharge their dyes effluent to the nearby streams. The point source where the dyes is being released caused exponentially increase in water bodies temperature which can kill aquatic organisms. Long term of exposure to the dyes by human can also cause serious health problems. The purpose of this research is to study the potential of polymer inclusion membranes (PIMs) in removing malachite green (MG). The PIM used in this study is made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) as a base polymer and Aliquat 336 as a carrier, dissolved in Tetrahydrofuran (THF). The composition of carrier, initial dye concentration, pH and stirring speed were varied to determine the optimum condition for PVC PIM to remove MG in 24 hours. Result showed that 99 % of MG was successfully removed from aqueous solution using PVC PIM with 30 wt.% Aliquat 336. At the same time, the initial dye concentration of 10 ppm showed the highest percentage of removal with 99 % but, as the initial dye concentration increases, the extraction capability decreases. The removal of MG is more effective in slightly alkaline condition where pH 9 indicated the highest removal efficiency of MG. The suitable stirring speed which resulting in the highest MG removal efficiency was 250 rpm where, above that speed caused slight reduction in the removal rate. After optimization of all the parameters, about 98 % of removal efficiency had been reached. The PIMs were also characterized using Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectrometry (FT-IR) to determine the functional group presented in each of the components of PIM as well as fresh and used PVC PIMs. Finally, it was concluded that PVC PIMs associated with Aliquat 336 demonstrated outstanding extraction capabilities for the removal of MG from aqueous solution.