Executive Summary : | With the purpose of development of biomaterials that reversibly remove trace amounts of fluoride ions, we may synthesize (grafted) sensitive hybrid hydrogel as cellulosic ethers. Followed with the in-situ polymerization (in presence of cellulosic ether solution (methylcellulose)) of suitable monomer like; N-isoacrylamide (NIPA) to form interpenetrating network (IPN). The properties of these hybrid membrane are to be enhanced through incorporation of nano fillers like; Zirconium oxide, montmorllionite clay, aluminum oxide etc., which may results in an increase in fluoride ion retention efficiency. However, to further enhance the entrapment efficiency of F- ions the nanoporous membranes are to be prepared. The suitable surfactant (non-ionic) was impended in the polymeric matrix at known concentration followed by drying and solvent leaching method to get nanoporous polymeric membrane. The hybrid nanocomposite porous membrane retains the properties of the immobilized fluoride ion and highly sensitively and selectively binds ions. The thermosensitive properties of the hybrid hydrogel, which may shrink upon heating may allow the recharging the membranes, without altering the structure of matrix. Using this novel hybrid nanoporous membranes, we may remove nanomolar fluoride ion from samples of environmental water in a highly efficient manner, leading to a practical and repeatedly reusable material to remediate our environment. 2. Objectives 1. To prepare IPNs of cellulosic ether with poly N-isoacrylamide. 2. To graft the cellulosic membrane for F ion entrapment. 3. To prepare zirconium based nanocomposite and nanoporous matrix. 4. To study the binding and release efficiency of fluoride ions from hybrid nanoporous nanocomposite membrane. 5. To develop proto type working Fluoride ion removal system at lab scale. |