The surface modification of porous cellulose acetate (CA) flat sheet membranes containing 8-hydroxyquinoline (as ligand) was carried out by coating with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/Fe3O4 nanocomposite solution. Nanocomposite solution was provided by in-situ formation of Fe3O4 nanostructures in a polymeric solution containing poly(vinyl alcohol) via a facile chemical procedure. The provided membranes were used for Ni(II) and Cd(II) ions removal from aqueous solutions. The influences of membrane modification, initial feed concentration and filler loading on the membranes performance for removal of mentioned ions were investigated. The results showed that ions rejection was enhanced by addition of magnetite nanostructures and 8-hydroxyquinoline to the membrane marix. Several techniques including IR spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, SEM, water contact angle and overall porosity measurements were used to characterize the prepared samples. Morphological studies showed appropriate distribution of magnetite nanostructures in the polymeric backbone of nanocomposite membrane. The filtration/regeneration tests were sequentially performed and confirmed the facile regeneration of the nanocomposites membranes.
