Treatment of lead-contaminated water using a PVDF-expanded graphite membrane composite synthesized from carbon-based waste bottles

Lead contamination in water supplies poses significant risks to both environmental and human health. Simultaneously, the accumulation of waste Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) bottles presents a persistent environmental challenge due to their slow decomposition rates. These dual concerns necessitate innovative solutions that address both water treatment and waste management. This study investigates the synthesis and application of composite membranes fabricated from expanded graphite and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) derived from waste PET bottles for lead removal from contaminated water. Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (AAS) confirmed lead presence in water samples collected from the Wewe River, while Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy characterized each adsorbent material. The lead removal efficiency was evaluated across varying concentrations of expanded graphite filler. Results demonstrated that membranes containing the highest expanded graphite concentration (10 wt.%) achieved optimal lead removal performance. This research demonstrates the environmental potential of PVDF-expanded graphite composite membranes, offering dual benefits through effective lead remediation and PET waste reduction.