Modification of polysulfone membranes using magnetite nanoparticles containing sulfonic acid and heteropoly acid groups to improve permeability and antifouling properties

To increase the performance of ultrafiltration membranes, it is necessary to develop new materials. In this study, membrane production was carried out using magnetite nanoparticles functionalized by sulfonic acid and phosphotungstic acid (HPW) to increase permeability and improve antifouling properties. Firstly, Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@NH₂-SO₃H (FSNS) and Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@NH₂-SO₃H-HPW (FSNSPW) materials were synthesized. Then, different amounts of the nanoparticles were added to the membrane solutions. While the pure water flux was 164.2 LMH in the bare membranes, it was observed as 202.8 LMH and 195 LMH as a result of adding 0.5 % FSNSPW and FSNS. While Pb removal efficiency was 90 % in the bare membrane, it was measured as 97 % for 0.1 % FSNSPW and 89.6 % for 0.5 % FSNS. Maximum flux recovery ratio is 65.3 % for 0.5 % FSNSPW and 63.4 % for 1 % FSNS. Additionally, the highest Reactive Red 120 dye permeation flux was 72.2 LMH for 0.1 % FSNSPW and 71.9 LMH for 0.1 % FSNS membrane. Additionally, the highest permeation flux of Reactive Black 5 dye solution is 83.3 LMH for 0.5 % FSNSPW and 95 LMH for 0.5 % FSNS membrane. It could be concluded that the presence of the HPW group can improve the performance of the membranes.