Proton conducting membranes composed of phosphotungstic acid (PWA) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)were prepared. Conductivity and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer(FTIR) measurements show that most ofthe acid embe...Proton conducting membranes composed of phosphotungstic acid (PWA) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)were prepared. Conductivity and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer(FTIR) measurements show that most ofthe acid embedded are stable in the PVA matrix when the membrane is immerged in water or methanol solution atroom temperature. Conductivity of the composite membranes scatters around 10-3 S.cm-1 at room temperature.The methanol crossover through the membranes is about an order of magnitude lower than that through Nafion117 membrane.展开更多
Crosslinked poly(vinyl alcohol)(PVA)based composite films were prepared as polyelectrolyte membranes for low temperature direct ethanol fuel cells(DEFC).The membranes were functionalised by means of the addition of gr...Crosslinked poly(vinyl alcohol)(PVA)based composite films were prepared as polyelectrolyte membranes for low temperature direct ethanol fuel cells(DEFC).The membranes were functionalised by means of the addition of graphene oxide(GO)and sulfonated graphene oxide(SGO)and crosslinked with sulfosuccinic acid(SSA).The chemical structure was corroborated and suitable thermal properties were found.Although the addition of GO and SGO slightly decreased the proton conductivity of the membranes,a significant reduction of the ethanol solution swelling and crossover was encountered,more relevant for those functionalised with SGO.In general,the composite membranes were stable under simulated service conditions.The addition of GO and SGO particles permitted to buffer the loss and almost retain similar proton conductivity than prior to immersion.These membranes are alternative polyelectrolytes,which overcome current concerns of actual commercial membranes such as the high cost or the crossover phenomenon.展开更多
Pervaporation is an important membrane separation method of chemical engineering.In this work,silver-nanoparticles-poly(vinyl alcohol)nanocomposite membranes(AgNPs-PVA)are produced for the sake of improving its potent...Pervaporation is an important membrane separation method of chemical engineering.In this work,silver-nanoparticles-poly(vinyl alcohol)nanocomposite membranes(AgNPs-PVA)are produced for the sake of improving its potentials for pervaporation of ethanol–water mixture so that the usual opposite trend between membrane selectivity and permeation can be reduced.The nanocomposite membranes are fabricated from an aqueous solution of poly(vinyl alcohol)with silver nanoparticles via the in-situ generation technique in the absence of any reducing agent.Successful generation of the nano size silver is measured by the UV–vis spectrum showing a single peak at 419 nm due to the plasmonic effect of silver nanoparticles.Our nanocomposite AgNPs-PVA membranes are characterized using scanning electron microscope(SEM),Fourier-transform infrared(FT-IR)spectroscopy,X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis(TGA).The pervaporation tests of our new AgNPs-PVA membranes show good results since at a higher temperature and higher ethanol concentration in the feed,the prepared membranes are highly permeable for the water having stable selectivity values and therefore our membranes show better performance compared to that of the other PVA-based nanocomposite membranes.展开更多
Pervaporation desalination by highly hydrophilic materials such as poly(vinyl alcohol)(PVA)based separation membrane is a burgeoning technology of late years.However,the improvement of membrane flux in pervaporation d...Pervaporation desalination by highly hydrophilic materials such as poly(vinyl alcohol)(PVA)based separation membrane is a burgeoning technology of late years.However,the improvement of membrane flux in pervaporation desalination has been a difficult task.Here,a novel hybrid membrane with doped graphene oxide quantum dots(GOQDs)which is rich in hydrophilic groups and small size into the matrix of PVA was prepared to improve the membrane flux.The membranes structures were described by field emission scanning electron microscopy(FESEM),atomic force microscopy(AFM),Fourier transform infrared(FT-IR),differential scanning calorimetry(DSC),thermogravimetric analysis(TGA)and X-ray diffraction(XRD).And more,Water contact angle,swelling degree,and pervaporation properties were carried out to explore the effect of GOQDs in PVA matrix.In addition,GOQDs content in the hybrid membrane,NaCl concentration,and feed temperature were investigated accordingly.Moreover,the hydrogen bonds between PVA chains were weakened by the interaction between GOQDs and PVA chains.Significantly,the hybrid membrane with optimized doped GOQDs content,200 mg·L^(-1),displays a high membrane flux of 17.09 kg·m^(-2)·h^(-1)and the salt rejection is consistently greater than 99.6%.展开更多
This study investigates poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) membranes as controlled release micro-matrices, which can be useful in therapeutic applications for optimizing the administration of drugs. Currently, the use of hydro...This study investigates poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) membranes as controlled release micro-matrices, which can be useful in therapeutic applications for optimizing the administration of drugs. Currently, the use of hydrogels is limited by protein size. This study investigates the delivery of PspA, a large protein of approximately 38 kD. Pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA) has been shown to provide protective immunity against pneumococcal infection and is considered as a pneumococcal vaccine. The protein release experiments demonstrated that from an initial pH 7.4, approximately 60% of PspA diffuse into a neutral environment with an initial burst and a declining rate reaching equilibrium. The results indicate that the protein was successfully incorporated and released from the membrane over time. The hydrogel and protein interaction is temporary, and the membrane system is ideal for protein drug delivery. The data confirm that the protein did not aggregate and was active after release. The protein release is promising and a step forward to develop microneedles to facilitate high molecular weight protein delivery as well as vaccine delivery.展开更多
Macroporous poly (vinyl acetate-co-triallyl isocyanurate) beads were prepared with suspension polymerization method. The copolymer beads were then transformed into poly (vinyl alcohol-co-triallyl isocyanurate) by est...Macroporous poly (vinyl acetate-co-triallyl isocyanurate) beads were prepared with suspension polymerization method. The copolymer beads were then transformed into poly (vinyl alcohol-co-triallyl isocyanurate) by ester exchange reaction. Aminocarboxylic acids were immobilized on the copolymer beads by the esterification of hydroxyl groups with diethyl-lenetriaminepentaacetic bisanhydride. The weak acid exchange capacities, specific surface areas and mean pore diameters of the resultant resin beads were measured.展开更多
Perfluorooctanoyl modified poly(vinyl alcohol)s (FPVA) were prepared by means of substituting a small amount of hydroxyl groups on the backbone of poly(vinyl alcohol), for which the initial degree of polymerization is...Perfluorooctanoyl modified poly(vinyl alcohol)s (FPVA) were prepared by means of substituting a small amount of hydroxyl groups on the backbone of poly(vinyl alcohol), for which the initial degree of polymerization is equal to 1750. The substitution extent, defined by the number of substituting units in a chain, for the four FPVA samples was in the range of 0.5-5 perfluorooctanoyl groups per chain. The FPVA samples with the highest substitution extent still had good solubility in water. It was shown by experimental measurement at 30.0 +/- 0.1 degreesC that the surface tension of the aqueous solution of the highest substituted FPVA decreased to 16.6 mN/m at a higher concentration, e.g. about 0.1 g/mL. Obviously, macromolecules of FPVA exhibit a very strong tendency to adsorb at the air-water interface, because the hydrophobic perfluorooctanoyl groups in FPVA have a very high surface activity as they are in small molecular fluorinated surfactants. The chain conformation of such a model polymer adsorbed on the air-water interface was also discussed.展开更多
Copolymer of maleic acid and acrylic acid (PMA-100), combining with polyvinyl butyral (PVB) ultrafiltration membrane was used for the removal of Mn(II) from waste water by complexation-ultrafiltration. The carbo...Copolymer of maleic acid and acrylic acid (PMA-100), combining with polyvinyl butyral (PVB) ultrafiltration membrane was used for the removal of Mn(II) from waste water by complexation-ultrafiltration. The carboxylic group content of PMA-100 and the rate of complexation reaction were measured. Effects of the mass ratio of PMA-100 to Mn(II) (n), pH, background electrolyte, etc on the rejection rate (R) and permeate flux (J) were investigated. The results show that carboxylic group content of PMA-100 is 9.5 mmol/g. The complexation of Mn(II) with PMA-100 is rapid and completed within 5 min at pH 6.0. Both R and J increase with pH increasing in the range of 2.5-7.0, and R increases with the increase of n at pH 6.0 while J is little affected. The background electrolyte leads to the decrease of R, and CaCl2 has much greater effect on R than NaCl at the same ionic strength.展开更多
The research and application of responsive materials have long been hampered by their complicated designs and tedious construction processes.Besides,many current responsive materials show retard or weak responsiveness...The research and application of responsive materials have long been hampered by their complicated designs and tedious construction processes.Besides,many current responsive materials show retard or weak responsiveness.In this study,responsive hybrid poly(vinyl alcohol)hydrogel membranes with embedded poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-acrylic acid)microgels as valves were constructed by simple mixing and subsequent freezing-thawing process.In the structure of the membranes,the matrix poly(vinyl alcohol)chains thread through and entangle with the microgels,and the microgels are firmly constrained within the hybrid hydrogel network.The fast and sharp temperature responsiveness of the embedded microgels was largely retained and endowed the hydrogel membrane with excellent temperature and pH responsiveness.Moreover,the hydrogel membrane showed excellent fatigue resistance in both temperature and pH-responsive flux examination.This study presented the great potential of these hybrid hydrogel membranes in biomedical applications and provided a new strategy for the future design and construction of responsive biomaterials.展开更多
Capture and detection of metastatic cancer cells are crucial for diagnosis and treatment of malignant neoplasm. Here, we report the use of folic acid (FA) modified electrospun poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/polyethyl...Capture and detection of metastatic cancer cells are crucial for diagnosis and treatment of malignant neoplasm. Here, we report the use of folic acid (FA) modified electrospun poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/polyethyleneimine (PEI) nanofibers for cancer cell capture applications. Electrospun PVA/PEI nanofibers crosslinked by glutaraldehyde vapor were modified with FA via a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) spacer, followed by acetylation of the fiber surface PEI amines. The formed FA-modified nanofibers were well characterized. The morphology of the electrospun PVA/PEI nanofibers is smooth and uniform despite the surface modification. In addition, the FA-modified nanofibers display good hemocompatibility as confirmed by hemolysis assay. Importantly, the developed FA-modified nanofibers are able to specifically capture cancer cells overexpressing FA receptors, which were validated by quantitative cell counting assay and qualitative confocal microscopy analysis. The developed FA-modified PVA/PEI nanofibers may be used for capturing circulating tumor cells for cancer diagnosis applications.展开更多
In this work, we report the fabrication and cell affinity studies of the poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/hyaluronic acid (HA) cross-linked nanofibers via electrospinning and post cross-linking. FT-IR and TGA analysis demons...In this work, we report the fabrication and cell affinity studies of the poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/hyaluronic acid (HA) cross-linked nanofibers via electrospinning and post cross-linking. FT-IR and TGA analysis demonstrate that HA is not influenced by acid environment such as HCl vapor during cross-linking, and well incorporated into PVA nanofibers. Swelling behavior and cell adhesion of the PVA/HA hydrogel nanofibers are investigated and compared with pure PVA hydrogel nanofibers. It is expected that the nanofibrous PVA/HA hydrogel fibers could be a promising scaffold for cell culture and tissue engineering applications.展开更多
A series of amphiphilic copolymers containing poly(vinyl chloride-r-acrylic acid) (P(VC-r-AA)) was synthesized and used to prepare membranes via a non-solvent induced phase separation method. The prepared membra...A series of amphiphilic copolymers containing poly(vinyl chloride-r-acrylic acid) (P(VC-r-AA)) was synthesized and used to prepare membranes via a non-solvent induced phase separation method. The prepared membranes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and water contact angle and zeta potential measurements. The copolymer P(VC-r-AA) chains did not dissolved in a coagulation bath, indicating that the AA segments were completely retained within the membrane. Enriching degree of AA segments in surface layer was 2 for copolymer membrane. In addition, the introduction of AA segments made the membrane electronegative and hydrophilic so that the membrane was sensitive to the solution pH. The fouling resistance, adsorption of Cu(II), Cr(III) and Ce(IV) ions and the desorption properties of the membranes were also determined. The copolymer membranes exhibited good antifouling performance with a fouling reversibility of 92%. The membranes also had good adsorption capacities for Cu(II), Cr(III) and Ce(IV) ions. The optimal pH for Cu(II) adsorption was 6 and the copolymer membrane has potential applications for low concentration Cu(II) removal.展开更多
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 29976033) and the State Key Basic Science Research Project (G20000264).
文摘Proton conducting membranes composed of phosphotungstic acid (PWA) and poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)were prepared. Conductivity and Fourier transform infrared spectrometer(FTIR) measurements show that most ofthe acid embedded are stable in the PVA matrix when the membrane is immerged in water or methanol solution atroom temperature. Conductivity of the composite membranes scatters around 10-3 S.cm-1 at room temperature.The methanol crossover through the membranes is about an order of magnitude lower than that through Nafion117 membrane.
基金the support of the European Union through the European Regional Development Funds(ERDF)The Spanish Ministry of Economy,Industry and Competitiveness,is thanked for the research project POLYDECARBOCELL(ENE2017-86711-C3-1-R)The Spanish Ministry of Education,Culture and Sports is thanked for the FPU grant for O.Gil-Castell(FPU13/01916)。
文摘Crosslinked poly(vinyl alcohol)(PVA)based composite films were prepared as polyelectrolyte membranes for low temperature direct ethanol fuel cells(DEFC).The membranes were functionalised by means of the addition of graphene oxide(GO)and sulfonated graphene oxide(SGO)and crosslinked with sulfosuccinic acid(SSA).The chemical structure was corroborated and suitable thermal properties were found.Although the addition of GO and SGO slightly decreased the proton conductivity of the membranes,a significant reduction of the ethanol solution swelling and crossover was encountered,more relevant for those functionalised with SGO.In general,the composite membranes were stable under simulated service conditions.The addition of GO and SGO particles permitted to buffer the loss and almost retain similar proton conductivity than prior to immersion.These membranes are alternative polyelectrolytes,which overcome current concerns of actual commercial membranes such as the high cost or the crossover phenomenon.
基金the financial support from the Hungarian National Scientific Research Foundations (OTKA) project: Capture of CO2 from biogases and industrial flue gases, project no. 112699supported by the European Union and the Hungarian Stateco-financed by the European Regional Development Fund in the framework of the GINOP-2.3.4-152016-00004 project
文摘Pervaporation is an important membrane separation method of chemical engineering.In this work,silver-nanoparticles-poly(vinyl alcohol)nanocomposite membranes(AgNPs-PVA)are produced for the sake of improving its potentials for pervaporation of ethanol–water mixture so that the usual opposite trend between membrane selectivity and permeation can be reduced.The nanocomposite membranes are fabricated from an aqueous solution of poly(vinyl alcohol)with silver nanoparticles via the in-situ generation technique in the absence of any reducing agent.Successful generation of the nano size silver is measured by the UV–vis spectrum showing a single peak at 419 nm due to the plasmonic effect of silver nanoparticles.Our nanocomposite AgNPs-PVA membranes are characterized using scanning electron microscope(SEM),Fourier-transform infrared(FT-IR)spectroscopy,X-ray diffraction and thermogravimetric analysis(TGA).The pervaporation tests of our new AgNPs-PVA membranes show good results since at a higher temperature and higher ethanol concentration in the feed,the prepared membranes are highly permeable for the water having stable selectivity values and therefore our membranes show better performance compared to that of the other PVA-based nanocomposite membranes.
文摘Pervaporation desalination by highly hydrophilic materials such as poly(vinyl alcohol)(PVA)based separation membrane is a burgeoning technology of late years.However,the improvement of membrane flux in pervaporation desalination has been a difficult task.Here,a novel hybrid membrane with doped graphene oxide quantum dots(GOQDs)which is rich in hydrophilic groups and small size into the matrix of PVA was prepared to improve the membrane flux.The membranes structures were described by field emission scanning electron microscopy(FESEM),atomic force microscopy(AFM),Fourier transform infrared(FT-IR),differential scanning calorimetry(DSC),thermogravimetric analysis(TGA)and X-ray diffraction(XRD).And more,Water contact angle,swelling degree,and pervaporation properties were carried out to explore the effect of GOQDs in PVA matrix.In addition,GOQDs content in the hybrid membrane,NaCl concentration,and feed temperature were investigated accordingly.Moreover,the hydrogen bonds between PVA chains were weakened by the interaction between GOQDs and PVA chains.Significantly,the hybrid membrane with optimized doped GOQDs content,200 mg·L^(-1),displays a high membrane flux of 17.09 kg·m^(-2)·h^(-1)and the salt rejection is consistently greater than 99.6%.
文摘This study investigates poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) membranes as controlled release micro-matrices, which can be useful in therapeutic applications for optimizing the administration of drugs. Currently, the use of hydrogels is limited by protein size. This study investigates the delivery of PspA, a large protein of approximately 38 kD. Pneumococcal surface protein A (PspA) has been shown to provide protective immunity against pneumococcal infection and is considered as a pneumococcal vaccine. The protein release experiments demonstrated that from an initial pH 7.4, approximately 60% of PspA diffuse into a neutral environment with an initial burst and a declining rate reaching equilibrium. The results indicate that the protein was successfully incorporated and released from the membrane over time. The hydrogel and protein interaction is temporary, and the membrane system is ideal for protein drug delivery. The data confirm that the protein did not aggregate and was active after release. The protein release is promising and a step forward to develop microneedles to facilitate high molecular weight protein delivery as well as vaccine delivery.
基金This work was supported by the National 973 project (G1999064707)
文摘Macroporous poly (vinyl acetate-co-triallyl isocyanurate) beads were prepared with suspension polymerization method. The copolymer beads were then transformed into poly (vinyl alcohol-co-triallyl isocyanurate) by ester exchange reaction. Aminocarboxylic acids were immobilized on the copolymer beads by the esterification of hydroxyl groups with diethyl-lenetriaminepentaacetic bisanhydride. The weak acid exchange capacities, specific surface areas and mean pore diameters of the resultant resin beads were measured.
基金The project was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No.29774016).
文摘Perfluorooctanoyl modified poly(vinyl alcohol)s (FPVA) were prepared by means of substituting a small amount of hydroxyl groups on the backbone of poly(vinyl alcohol), for which the initial degree of polymerization is equal to 1750. The substitution extent, defined by the number of substituting units in a chain, for the four FPVA samples was in the range of 0.5-5 perfluorooctanoyl groups per chain. The FPVA samples with the highest substitution extent still had good solubility in water. It was shown by experimental measurement at 30.0 +/- 0.1 degreesC that the surface tension of the aqueous solution of the highest substituted FPVA decreased to 16.6 mN/m at a higher concentration, e.g. about 0.1 g/mL. Obviously, macromolecules of FPVA exhibit a very strong tendency to adsorb at the air-water interface, because the hydrophobic perfluorooctanoyl groups in FPVA have a very high surface activity as they are in small molecular fluorinated surfactants. The chain conformation of such a model polymer adsorbed on the air-water interface was also discussed.
基金Project (21176264) supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of ChinaProject (11JJ2010) supported by Hunan Provincial Natural Science Foundation of ChinaProject (LC13076) supported by Undergraduate Innovation Foundation of Central South University,China
文摘Copolymer of maleic acid and acrylic acid (PMA-100), combining with polyvinyl butyral (PVB) ultrafiltration membrane was used for the removal of Mn(II) from waste water by complexation-ultrafiltration. The carboxylic group content of PMA-100 and the rate of complexation reaction were measured. Effects of the mass ratio of PMA-100 to Mn(II) (n), pH, background electrolyte, etc on the rejection rate (R) and permeate flux (J) were investigated. The results show that carboxylic group content of PMA-100 is 9.5 mmol/g. The complexation of Mn(II) with PMA-100 is rapid and completed within 5 min at pH 6.0. Both R and J increase with pH increasing in the range of 2.5-7.0, and R increases with the increase of n at pH 6.0 while J is little affected. The background electrolyte leads to the decrease of R, and CaCl2 has much greater effect on R than NaCl at the same ionic strength.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(Nos.22275137 and 82202342)Natural Science Foundation of Tianjin Municipal Science and Technology Commission(No.21JCYBJC01810).
文摘The research and application of responsive materials have long been hampered by their complicated designs and tedious construction processes.Besides,many current responsive materials show retard or weak responsiveness.In this study,responsive hybrid poly(vinyl alcohol)hydrogel membranes with embedded poly(N-isopropylacrylamide-acrylic acid)microgels as valves were constructed by simple mixing and subsequent freezing-thawing process.In the structure of the membranes,the matrix poly(vinyl alcohol)chains thread through and entangle with the microgels,and the microgels are firmly constrained within the hybrid hydrogel network.The fast and sharp temperature responsiveness of the embedded microgels was largely retained and endowed the hydrogel membrane with excellent temperature and pH responsiveness.Moreover,the hydrogel membrane showed excellent fatigue resistance in both temperature and pH-responsive flux examination.This study presented the great potential of these hybrid hydrogel membranes in biomedical applications and provided a new strategy for the future design and construction of responsive biomaterials.
基金financially supported by the Program for Professor of Special Appointment(Eastern Scholar)at Shanghai Institutions of Higher Learningthe Key Laboratory of Textile Science&Technology,Ministry of Education,“111 Project”(B07024)+4 种基金the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universitiesthe Chinese Universities Scientific Fund(No.101-06-0019014)the support from Shanghai Pujiang Program(No.14PJ1400400)the National Natural Science Foundation of China(No.21405012)the State Key Laboratory for Modification of Chemical Fibers and Polymer Materials,Donghua University(No.LK1429)
文摘Capture and detection of metastatic cancer cells are crucial for diagnosis and treatment of malignant neoplasm. Here, we report the use of folic acid (FA) modified electrospun poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/polyethyleneimine (PEI) nanofibers for cancer cell capture applications. Electrospun PVA/PEI nanofibers crosslinked by glutaraldehyde vapor were modified with FA via a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) spacer, followed by acetylation of the fiber surface PEI amines. The formed FA-modified nanofibers were well characterized. The morphology of the electrospun PVA/PEI nanofibers is smooth and uniform despite the surface modification. In addition, the FA-modified nanofibers display good hemocompatibility as confirmed by hemolysis assay. Importantly, the developed FA-modified nanofibers are able to specifically capture cancer cells overexpressing FA receptors, which were validated by quantitative cell counting assay and qualitative confocal microscopy analysis. The developed FA-modified PVA/PEI nanofibers may be used for capturing circulating tumor cells for cancer diagnosis applications.
文摘In this work, we report the fabrication and cell affinity studies of the poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/hyaluronic acid (HA) cross-linked nanofibers via electrospinning and post cross-linking. FT-IR and TGA analysis demonstrate that HA is not influenced by acid environment such as HCl vapor during cross-linking, and well incorporated into PVA nanofibers. Swelling behavior and cell adhesion of the PVA/HA hydrogel nanofibers are investigated and compared with pure PVA hydrogel nanofibers. It is expected that the nanofibrous PVA/HA hydrogel fibers could be a promising scaffold for cell culture and tissue engineering applications.
基金This research was supported by the National High Technology Research and Development Program of China (Granted No. 2012AA03A602 ) , the National Basic Research Program of China (Granted No. 2009CB623402) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 20974094).
文摘A series of amphiphilic copolymers containing poly(vinyl chloride-r-acrylic acid) (P(VC-r-AA)) was synthesized and used to prepare membranes via a non-solvent induced phase separation method. The prepared membranes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and water contact angle and zeta potential measurements. The copolymer P(VC-r-AA) chains did not dissolved in a coagulation bath, indicating that the AA segments were completely retained within the membrane. Enriching degree of AA segments in surface layer was 2 for copolymer membrane. In addition, the introduction of AA segments made the membrane electronegative and hydrophilic so that the membrane was sensitive to the solution pH. The fouling resistance, adsorption of Cu(II), Cr(III) and Ce(IV) ions and the desorption properties of the membranes were also determined. The copolymer membranes exhibited good antifouling performance with a fouling reversibility of 92%. The membranes also had good adsorption capacities for Cu(II), Cr(III) and Ce(IV) ions. The optimal pH for Cu(II) adsorption was 6 and the copolymer membrane has potential applications for low concentration Cu(II) removal.