  Apart from the fact that nitroaromatic compounds (NARs) have toxic and
mutagenic characteristics, they are also essential substrates for the synthesis
of aromatic amines (AAMs). In this context, the present study presents a new
approach that enables NAR-contaminated wastewaters to be treated as a reagent
for the synthesis of AAMs. It involves the fabrication of anion exchange
membranes with Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) that simultaneously reduce
4-nitrophenol (4-NP) and separate the resultant 4-aminophenol (4-AP) via. the
dialysis mechanism. The nanocomposite membranes were prepared by
amino-modification of poly(vinyl chloride) films obtained in the presence of
cyclohexanone (CH) or tetrahydrofuran (THF), followed by Au(III) reduction
coupled-adsorption. The nanomaterials were analysed using scanning transmission
electron microscopy (STEM) and Fourier-transformation infrared spectroscopy
(FT-IR). The catalytic reaction was carried out in a dialysis unit, where the
concentration of 4-NP in the wastewater, and the concentration of separated
4-AP were monitored using UV-Vis spectroscopy. The nanocomposite membranes
formed using THF effectively reduced the 4-NP and separated the resultant 4-AP.
The yield of the 4-NP conversion reached 80% with a rate constant of 11.30 10-3
min-1. Based on the results, THF contributed to the formation of diffusion
paths in which the 4-NP was simultaneously separated and reduced.
