Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Effect of Different Valence Ions and Coexistence of Cations and Humic Acid on the Separation of Perfluorobutyl Sulfonic Acid by Nanofiltration

  • Published:
Water, Air, & Soil Pollution Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Perfluorobutylsulfonic acid (PFBS) is a biotoxic and persistent pollutant that cannot be effectively removed by conventional drinking water treatment processes. Nanofiltration is an effective method to remove PFBS, which can remove trace small molecular organic pollutants in water. The effects of the coexistence of inorganic ions and cations with humic acid (HA) on the nanofiltration separation of perfluorinated butyl sulfonic acid (PFBS) in nanofiltration membranes at 25°, 0.6M Pa were studied. The experimental results showed that when cations were present in the filtration solution, the removal rate of PFBS by NF membrane ranged from large to small as K+ (92.46%) > Na+ (92.16%) > Ca2+ (91.20%) > Mg2+ (91.07%) > Fe3+ (78.09%). The removal rate of PFBS was PO43− (92.34%) > SO42− (90.15%) when anions were present in the filtered solution. The dominant mechanism of NF membrane removal of PFBS is electrostatic repulsion, while the ionization of cations reduces the negative charge of the membrane surface and PFBS, and the high anions can increase the negative charge of the membrane surface and solute particles, changing the electrostatic repulsion between NF membrane and PFBS. When cations coexisted with HA, the electrostatic repulsion was enhanced, but the concentration polarization generated by the contaminated layer reduced the retention of PFBS. By identifying the leading removal mechanism of PFBS by NF membrane, this study can provide certain theoretical guidance for the selection of NF membrane in the actual water treatment application of NF technology, and the deep purification of drinking water to remove PFBS.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8

Similar content being viewed by others

Data Availability

All relevant data are included in the paper or its Supplementary Information.

References

  • Arp, H. P. H., Brown, T. N., Berger, U., & Hale, S. E. (2017). Ranking REACH registered neutral, ionizable and ionic organic chemicals based on their aquatic persistency and mobility. Environmental Science: Processes & Impacts, 19, 939–955. https://doi.org/10.1039/c7em00158d

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Bortoluzzi, A. C., Faitão, J. A., Di Luccio, M., Dallago, R. M., Steffens, J., Zabot, G. L., & Tres, M. V. (2017). Dairy wastewater treatment using integrated membrane systems. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 5, 4819–4827. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2017.09.018

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, F., Wei, C., Chen, Q., Zhang, J., Wang, L., Zhou, Z., Chen, M., & Liang, Y. (2018a). Internal concentrations of perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS) comparable to those of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) induce reproductive toxicity in Caenorhabditis elegans. Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 158, 223–229. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecoenv.2018.04.032

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, L., Tsui, M. M. P., Shi, Q., Hu, C., Wang, Q., Zhou, B., Lam, P. K. S., & Lam, J. C. W. (2018b). Accumulation of perfluorobutane sulfonate (PFBS) and impairment of visual function in the eyes of marine medaka after a life-cycle exposure. Aquatic Toxicology, 201, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aquatox.2018.05.018

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, Z., Luo, J., Chen, X., Hang, X., Shen, F., & Wan, Y. (2016). Fully recycling dairy wastewater by an integrated isoelectric precipitation–nanofiltration–anaerobic fermentation process. Chemical Engineering Journal, 283, 476–485. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2015.07.086

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Faisal, A. A. H., Al-Wakel, S. F. A., Assi, H. A., Naji, L. A. & Naushad, M. (2020). Waterworks sludge-filter sand permeable reactive barrier for removal of toxic lead ions from contaminated groundwater. Journal of Water Process Engineering, 33. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwpe.2019.101112.

  • Franke, V., Mccleaf, P., Lindegren, K., & Ahrens, L. (2019). Efficient removal of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in drinking water treatment: Nanofiltration combined with active carbon or anion exchange. Environmental Science-Water Research & Technology, 5, 1836–1843. https://doi.org/10.1039/c9ew00286c

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gellrich, V., Stahl, T., & Knepper, T. P. (2012). Behavior of perfluorinated compounds in soils during leaching experiments. Chemosphere, 87, 1052–1056. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2012.02.011

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gluege, J., Scheringer, M., Cousins, I. T., Dewitt, J. C., Goldenman, G., Herzke, D., Lohmann, R., Ng, C. A., Trier, X., & Wang, Z. (2020). An overview of the uses of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Environmental Science-Processes & Impacts, 22, 2345–2373. https://doi.org/10.1039/d0em00291g

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hang, X., Chen, X., Luo, J., Cao, W., & Wan, Y. (2015). Removal and recovery of perfluorooctanoate from wastewater by nanofiltration. Separation and Purification Technology, 145, 120–129. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2015.03.013

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kim, S., Lee, S., Lee, E., Sarper, S., Kim, C.-H., & Cho, J. (2009). Enhanced or reduced concentration polarization by membrane fouling in seawater reverse osmosis (SWRO) processes. Desalination, 247, 162–168. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2008.12.021

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kotthoff, M. & Bücking, M. (2018). Four Chemical Trends Will Shape the Next Decade’s Directions in Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances Research. Frontiers in Chemistry, 6. https://doi.org/10.3389/fchem.2018.00103.

  • Li, F., Duan, J., Tian, S., Ji, H., Zhu, Y., Wei, Z. & Zhao, D. (2020). Short-chain per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in aquatic systems: Occurrence, impacts and treatment. Chemical Engineering Journal, 380. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2019.122506.

  • Li, X. R., Fatowe, M., Cui, D. N. & Quinete, N. (2022). Assessment of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances in Biscayne Bay surface waters and tap waters from South Florida. Science of the Total Environment, 806. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150393.

  • Lin, Y., Jiang, J.-J., Rodenburg, L. A., Cai, M., Wu, Z., Ke, H. & Chitsaz, M. (2020). Perfluoroalkyl substances in sediments from the Bering Sea to the western Arctic: Source and pathway analysis. Environment International, 139. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2020.105699.

  • Liu, C., Zhao, X., Faria, A. F., Deliz Quiñones, K. Y., Zhang, C., He, Q., Ma, J., Shen, Y. & Zhi, Y. (2022a). Evaluating the efficiency of nanofiltration and reverse osmosis membrane processes for the removal of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances from water: A critical review. Separation and Purification Technology, 302. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2022.122161.

  • Liu, M., Chen, W., Fu, J., Wang, A., Ding, M., Zhang, L., Han, L., & Gao, L. (2022b). Hyaluronic acid-modified nanofiltration membrane for ultrahigh water permeance and efficient rejection of PFASs. Process Safety and Environmental Protection, 166, 214–221. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psep.2022.08.021

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu, Z., Guo, J. J., Wang, J. X., Hu, Y. N., Yue, X. L., Sun, P. D., Hou, Y. S., Duan, J. Q., Wang, L., Wang, N., & Liang, T. (2023). Effects of coexisted substances on the separation characteristics and mechanisms of perfluorooctanoic acid by polyamide composite nanofiltration membrane. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-023-05399-2

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lou, Q. Q., Zhang, Y. F., Zhou, Z., Shi, Y. L., Ge, Y. N., Ren, D. K., Xu, H. M., Zhao, Y. X., Wei, W. J., & Qin, Z. F. (2013). Effects of perfluorooctanesulfonate and perfluorobutanesulfonate on the growth and sexual development of Xenopus laevis. Ecotoxicology, 22, 1133–1144. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10646-013-1100-y

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Luo, Y., Guo, W., Ngo, H. H., Long Duc, N., Hai, F. I., Zhang, J., Liang, S., & Wang, X. C. (2014). A review on the occurrence of micropollutants in the aquatic environment and their fate and removal during wastewater treatment. Science of the Total Environment, 473, 619–641. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2013.12.065

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ma, J., Wang, Y., Xu, H., Ding, M., & Gao, L. (2022). MXene (Ti3T2CX)-reinforced thin-film polyamide nanofiltration membrane for short-chain perfluorinated compounds removal. Process Safety and Environmental Protection, 168, 275–284. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psep.2022.09.080

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mccleaf, P., Englund, S., Ostlund, A., Lindegren, K., Wiberg, K., & Ahrens, L. (2017). Removal efficiency of multiple poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in drinking water using granular activated carbon (GAC) and anion exchange (AE) column tests. Water Research, 120, 77–87. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2017.04.057

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Naushad, M. (2014). Surfactant assisted nano-composite cation exchanger: Development, characterization and applications for the removal of toxic Pb2+ from aqueous medium. Chemical Engineering Journal, 235, 100–108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2013.09.013

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nguyen Hoang, L., Cho, C.-R., Kannan, K., & Cho, H.-S. (2017). A nationwide survey of perfluorinated alkyl substances in waters, sediment and biota collected from aquatic environment in Vietnam: Distributions and bioconcentration profiles. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 323, 116–127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2016.04.010

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pan, X., Ye, J., Zhang, H., Tang, J. & Pan, D. (2019). Occurrence, Removal and Bioaccumulation of Perfluoroalkyl Substances in Lake Chaohu, China. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16101692.

  • Rahman, M. F., Peldszus, S., & Anderson, W. B. (2014). Behaviour and fate of perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in drinking water treatment: A review. Water Research, 50, 318–340. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2013.10.045

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Reemtsma, T., Berger, U., Arp, H. P. H., Gallard, H., Knepper, T. P., Neumann, M., Quintana, J. B., & Voogt, P. D. (2016). Mind the gap: Persistent and mobile organic compounds—water contaminants that slip through. Environmental Science & Technology, 50, 10308–10315. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.6b03338

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Sadaf, S., Singh, A. K., Iqbal, J., Kumar, R. N., Sulejmanović, J., Habila, M. A., Pinê Américo-Pinheiro, J. H. & Sher, F. (2022). Advancements of sequencing batch biofilm reactor for slaughterhouse wastewater assisted with response surface methodology. Chemosphere, 307. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.135952.

  • Sulejmanović, J., Kovač, N., Memić, M., Šabanović, E., Begić, S. & Sher, F. (2021). Selective removal of lead ions from aqueous solutions using SiO2–MoO3: Isotherm, kinetics and thermodynamic studies. Case Studies in Chemical and Environmental Engineering, 3. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cscee.2021.100083.

  • Wang, X., Chen, Z., Wang, Y. & Sun, W. (2021). A review on degradation of perfluorinated compounds based on ultraviolet advanced oxidation. Environmental Pollution, 291. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2021.118014.

  • Wang, J., Dlamini, D. S., Mishra, A. K., Pendergast, M. T. M., Wong, M. C. Y., Mamba, B. B., Freger, V., Verliefde, A. R. D., & Hoek, E. M. V. (2014). A critical review of transport through osmotic membranes. Journal of Membrane Science, 454, 516–537. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2013.12.034

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, J., Wang, L., Xu, C., Zhi, R., Miao, R., Liang, T., Yue, X., Lv, Y., & Liu, T. (2018). Perfluorooctane sulfonate and perfluorobutane sulfonate removal from water by nanofiltration membrane: The roles of solute concentration, ionic strength, and macromolecular organic foulants. Chemical Engineering Journal, 332, 787–797. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2017.09.061

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wang, Z., Zhao, Y., Wang, J., & Wang, S. (2005). Studies on nanofiltration membrane fouling in the treatment of water solutions containing humic acids. Desalination, 178, 171–178. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.desal.2004.11.036

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wu, Y. (2023). Efficient removal of perfluorinated compounds with the polyamide nanofiltration membrane and membrane fouling resistance analysis. Water Quality Research Journal, 58, 215–229. https://doi.org/10.2166/wqrj.2023.011

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Xiao, F. (2017). Emerging poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances in the aquatic environment: A review of current literature. Water Research, 124, 482–495. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2017.07.024

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Xu, C., Wang, L., Wang, J., & Zhi, R. (2018). Removal of PFOS in water by polyamide composite nanofiltration membrane. China Environmental Science, 38, 186–192.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zazouli, M. A., Susanto, H., Nasseri, S., & Ulbricht, M. (2009). Influences of solution chemistry and polymeric natural organic matter on the removal of aquatic pharmaceutical residuals by nanofiltration. Water Research, 43, 3270–3280. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2009.04.038

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, K., Sumita, Li, C., Sun, C. & Marmier, N. (2022). A review of the treatment process of perfluorooctane compounds in the waters: Adsorption, flocculation, and advanced oxidative process. Water, 14. https://doi.org/10.3390/w14172692.

  • Zhao, C., Zhang, T., Hu, G., Ma, J., Song, R. & Li, J. (2020). Efficient removal of perfluorooctane sulphonate by nanofiltration: Insights into the effect and mechanism of coexisting inorganic ions and humic acid. Journal of Membrane Science, 610. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2020.118176.

  • Zhao, C., Hu, G., Hou, D., Yu, L., Zhao, Y., Wang, J., Cao, A., & Zhai, Y. (2018). Study on the effects of cations and anions on the removal of perfluorooctane sulphonate by nanofiltration membrane. Separation and Purification Technology, 202, 385–396. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2018.03.046

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao, C., Tang, C. Y., Li, P., Adrian, P., & Hu, G. (2016). Perfluorooctane sulfonate removal by nanofiltration membrane-the effect and interaction of magnesium ion/humic acid. Journal of Membrane Science, 503, 31–41. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.memsci.2015.12.049

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Funding

This work was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 51808432, 51808442, 52170051), the Science and Technology Planning Project of Yulin City (Grant No. CXY-2022–158), the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (Grant No. 2020M683679XB), the Young Talent fund of University Association for Science and Technology in Shaanxi (Grant Nos. 20200421, 20230456), the Youth Science and Technology Nova Project of Shaanxi Province (Grant Nos. 2021KJXX-106, 2023KJXX-134), the Key Research and Development Program of Shaanxi (Grant No. 2023-YBSF-301).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, Yan Ta Road. No.13, Xi’an, 710055, China

    Zhe Liu, Mingliang Xian & Jiaqing Xiong

  2. Key Lab of Northwest Water Resource, Environment and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi’an, 710055, China

    Zhe Liu & Jiaqing Xiong

  3. Yulin Ecological Environment Monitoring Station, High-Tech Zone Xingda Road, Yulin, 719000, China

    Zhe Liu

  4. School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Xi’an University of Science and Technology, Yan Ta Road, No. 58, Xi’an, 710054, China

    Jiaxuan Wang, Peiru Fan & Xinruo Wang

  5. Shaanxi Yulin Changjialiang Shengli Coal Mine Co., Ltd., Niujialiang Town, Yulin, 719000, China

    Jiaxuan Wang

  6. Research Institute of Membrane Separation Technology of Shaanxi Province, Xian University of Architecture & Technology, Yan Ta Road, No. 13, Xi’an, 710055, China

    Jiaxuan Wang

Authors
  1. Zhe Liu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Mingliang Xian
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Jiaxuan Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Peiru Fan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Jiaqing Xiong
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Xinruo Wang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Zhe Liu.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare no competing interests.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Highlights

• Electrostatic repulsion was the main PFBS retention mechanism by the NF membrane.

• Cations can promote the removal of PFBS in NF membranes better than anions.

• The cation will cause further contamination of HA on the NF membrane surface.

• The coexistence of different cations and HA has different influence mechanisms on the removal of PFBS.

Supplementary information

Below is the link to the electronic supplementary material.

Supplementary file1 (DOCX 24 KB)

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Liu, Z., Xian, M., Wang, J. et al. Effect of Different Valence Ions and Coexistence of Cations and Humic Acid on the Separation of Perfluorobutyl Sulfonic Acid by Nanofiltration. Water Air Soil Pollut 235, 258 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-024-07056-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-024-07056-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation