TiO 2 embedded mixed matrix PES nanocomposite membranes: Influence of different sizes and types of nanoparticles on antifouling and performance

Vahid Vatanpour, Sayed Siavash Madaeni*, Ali Reza Khataee, Ehsan Salehi, Sirus Zinadini, Hossein Ahmadi Monfared

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

488 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Three different types of titanium dioxide (TiO 2) nanoparticles (P25, PC105 and PC500) with various sizes were applied for the preparation of mixed matrix polyethersulfone nanofiltration membranes. This work investigates the effect of types and sizes of TiO 2 on the morphology, performance and fouling control of nanofillers embedded membranes. The membrane characterization was carried out by FTIR, XRD, EDX, contact angle, surface and cross-section SEM images and pure water flux measurements. The surface hydrophilicity of the TiO 2 blended membranes was improved due to water affinity improvement of the membrane surface. The high content of PC105 and PC500 TiO 2 nanoparticles in the casting solution diminished membrane performance due to the agglomeration of these nanoparticles in polymer matrix. However, the P25 nanofillers showed better dispersibility. The antibiofouling performance of the membranes fouled by whey solution was investigated by measuring fouling resistance parameters. The nanofiltration membranes made from the nano-sized TiO 2 particles elevated the pure water flux and antifouling properties. Flux recovery percentage of the nascent PES membrane was increased from 56 to 91% by blending 4wt.% P25 nanoparticles. At low concentration of TiO 2, the nanoparticles with small size caused more biofouling reduction due to this fact that the aggregation of the nanoparticles was not prominent at low amount.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)19-29
Number of pages11
JournalDesalination
Volume292
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 16 Apr 2012
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Biofouling
  • Nanofiltration
  • Organic-inorganic hybrid membranes
  • Phase inversion

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'TiO 2 embedded mixed matrix PES nanocomposite membranes: Influence of different sizes and types of nanoparticles on antifouling and performance'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this