Systematic study for a comprehensive evaluation of PPSU modified with ZnO for ultrafiltration membranes: morphological characteristics and performance

• Published in: Desalination and water treatment Vol. 284; pp. 27 - 38
• Main Authors: Shawket, Ali N., Ali, Nisreen S., Alsalhy, Qusay F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 01-02-2023
• Subjects: Inorganic nanoparticles; Membrane performance; Membranes modification; Mixed matrix membrane; Poly(phenyl sulfone); ZnO; Mixed matrix membrane; ZnO; Membrane performance; Membranes modification; Inorganic nanoparticles; Poly(phenyl sulfone)
• ISSN: 1944-3986; 1944-3986
• DOI: 10.5004/dwt.2023.29314

In the current work, zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO-NPs) were impregnated within poly(phenyl sulfone) (PPSU) membranes to prepare ultrafiltration nanocomposite membranes with disparate ZnO- NPs 0, 0.3, 0.5, 1 and 1.5 wt.%. A series of characterization measurement tools were harnessed to define membrane characteristics, including contact angle test, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy and mechanical test. Membranes fluxes and separation trade-off were assessed via an ultrafiltration lab scale testing apparatus. Results showcased that all the prepared ZnO- PPSU membranes have significantly improved morphological properties and performance compared with the nascent PPSU membrane. The optimum flux of (92 L/h·m2) and rejection of about (91%) was obtained by the membrane fabricated with 1 wt.% ZnO-NPs along with no significant deviation in their rejections. Besides, membrane porosity has significantly decreased with increasing of ZnO-NPs content in the PPSU polymeric matrix. Nonetheless, increasing ZnO-NPs concentration in the dope solution have weakened the mechanical properties of the nanocomposite membranes. Based on the obtained results in this work, the nanocomposite membrane modified with ZnO could give a good opportunities for wide range of UF applications especially for membrane bioreactor.