Identification, Removal, And Characterization Of Microplastics From Pvamu Wwtp Effluent Using Ceramic Membranes

Author

Ogboru O. Chujor, Prairie View A&M University

Date of Award

5-2025

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Degree Discipline

Chemistry

Abstract

This study evaluated a 1.4 µm ceramic membrane's effectiveness in removing microplastics from wastewater, focusing on characterization via FTIR spectroscopy. Microplastics, including fibers, fragments, and microbeads (1-2500 µm), were visually identified and counted under an electron microscope, achieving a 94% TSS reduction and a 35.4% microplastic recovery rate. FTIR analysis identified key polymers like polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene, with distinctive peaks for polyester (1624 cm−1, 1737 cm−1) and cotton (1095 cm−1, 1119 cm−1, 1151 cm−1), indicating polymer degradation through spectral signs of carbonyl groups. Micro-FTIR imaging, enhanced by dyes like DANs under fluorescence and Rose Bengal, pinpointed polymer sources and degradation effects. Post-filtration, microplastic composition shifted, with microbeads decreasing to 35%, fragments increasing to 50%, and fibers at 14%, highlighting the influence of shape and size on filtration efficiency. This work also highlights the need for sophisticated FTIR for in-depth microplastic analysis in wastewater treatment, indicating that although ceramic membranes show promise, particular approaches are required to handle various microplastic forms.

Keywords: microplastic, membranes, wastewater, m-FTIR, microscopy, dye

Committee Chair/Advisor

Ananda Amarasekara

Committee Co-Chair

Raghava Kommalapati

Committee Member

Gururaj Neelgund

Committee Member

Ananda Amarasekara

Publisher

Prairie View A&M University

Rights

Date of Digitization

5-30-2025

Contributing Institution

John B Coleman Library

City of Publication

Prairie View

MIME Type

Application/PDF

Recommended Citation

Chujor, O. O. (2025). Identification, Removal, And Characterization Of Microplastics From Pvamu Wwtp Effluent Using Ceramic Membranes. Retrieved from https://digitalcommons.pvamu.edu/pvamu-theses/1547