Membranes of polysulfone and hybrid applied in dye separation

• Published in: Desalination and water treatment Vol. 230; pp. 298 - 309
• Main Authors: Araújo, Bruna Aline, Araújo, Edcleide Maria, Oliveira, Sandriely Sonaly Lima, da Silva Barbosa Ferreira, Rodholfo, de Medeiros, Keila Machado, de Lima, Carlos Antônio Pereira
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Inc 01-08-2021
• Subjects: Hybrids; Industrial effluent; Membranes; Phase inversion; Phase inversion; Membranes; Hybrids; Industrial effluent
• ISSN: 1944-3986; 1944-3986
• DOI: 10.5004/dwt.2021.27412

In this work, polysulfone (PSU) membranes were prepared with 1.0%, 3.0%, and 5.0% by weight of titanium dioxide (TiO2). The membranes were analyzed by viscosity, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), water vapor permeation, contact angle (CA), flow measurements (FM), and yield. Through XRD and FTIR, the PSU membranes and their hybrids showed peaks and bands characteristic of PSU and TiO2 structure. By SEM and viscosity, it was observed that the addition of TiO2 promoted the formation of agglomerates on its surface, in addition to increasing the viscosities and thickness of these membranes. Through the CA and of water vapor permeation, it was found that the PSU membrane had the higher angle value and the smallest vapor permeation, probably because it presents a smooth filter skin with few pores and low interconnectivity of these with the porous layer. The separation tests indicated a decrease in flow, due to the fouling formed on the membranes surface and a significant reduction of dye in permeate, allowing the treatment of this contaminant. Furthermore, TiO2 for being a hydrophilic material and for acting as a porogenic agent, facilitated the passage of water, favoring the dye separation by hybrid membranes.