Renewed physiognomies of titanium nanotubes for implementation in the polysulfone membrane matrix for desalination

• Published in: Desalination Vol. 552; p. 116444
• Main Authors: Kavitha, J., Naik, Nagaraj S., Phani, A.R., Arthanareeswaran, G., Rajalakshmi, M., Padaki, Mahesh
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 15-04-2023
• Subjects: Antifouling; Membrane productivity; Nanotube composite membranes; Salt rejection studies; Titanium nanotubes modification; Salt rejection studies; Nanotube composite membranes; Membrane productivity; Antifouling; Titanium nanotubes modification
• ISSN: 0011-9164; 1873-4464
• DOI: 10.1016/j.desal.2023.116444

An innovative modification approach is attempted to fine-tune the physiognomies of titanium nanotubes (TNT) for amalgamation in the polysulfone (PSf) membrane matrix, which is employed in the salt rejection studies. The novel modified titanium nanotubes (m-TNT) are integrated in the PSf nanocomposite membranes by the phase inversion process. The synthesized m-TNTs and the nanotube composite membranes are analyzed with a range of characterization techniques and are studied for divalent and monovalent salt rejection studies. The results revealed that the m-TNT as a nanofiller in the membranes decreased contact angle, increased surface charge and hydrophilicity thereby improving the membrane perviousness. The m-TNT/PSf nanotube composite membrane with 2 wt% composition of nanotubes (M2) exhibits a flux of 12.17 LMH and salt rejection efficiency of 76.6 % for MgCl2, 59.9 % for Na2SO4 and 48.6 % for NaCl. The membranes also display superior antifouling behavior with 93.5 % flux recovery ratio and a very meagre 15.9 % of total fouling for the M2 membrane. The fabricated membranes exhibit a good rejection efficiency for the NaCl salt solution, provide appreciable productivity and display enhanced antifouling susceptibility thereby proving to be a prominent material in membrane desalination applications.
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•PSf based tight UF membranes with novel modified titanium nanotubes as additives.•Composite membranes exhibit improved porosity and hydrophilicity than PSf membranes.•m-TNT addition in composite membranes enhances flux and rejection efficiencies.•Membrane M2 gives a flux of 12.17 LMH at 5 bar and 48.6 % rejection for NaCl.•Nanotube composite membranes display superior FRR of 93.5 % with BSA foulant solution.