Permeation, Antifouling and desalination performance of TiO2 nanotube incorporated PSf/CS blend membranes
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Date
2013
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Abstract
Polysulfone (PSf) and chitosan (CS) blend membranes were prepared by incorporating titanium dioxide nanotubes (TiO<inf>2</inf>NT) in different compositions. The proper blending of PSf and CS in the PSf/CS/TiO<inf>2</inf> membranes was confirmed by ATR-IR spectroscopy. The influence of nanotubes on morphology of membranes was investigated by Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM). The effect of nanotubes on hydrophilicity of the membranes was studied by water swelling and contact angle measurements. The distribution of TiO<inf>2</inf>NT on the membrane surface was determined by Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) analysis. The permeation property of PSf/CS/TiO<inf>2</inf>NT membranes was carried out by measuring the time dependent pure water flux (PWF). Bovine serum albumin (BSA) protein rejection studies were performed to know the antifouling properties. The rheological percolation threshold of PSf/CS/TiO<inf>2</inf>NT solutions was measured by viscosity studies. The nanotubes incorporated PSf/CS membranes showed enhanced permeation and antifouling properties compared to PSf/CS and nascent PSf ultrafiltration membranes. Membranes prepared well above rheological percolation threshold showed drastic reduction in pore size and acted as nanofiltration (NF) membranes. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.
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Keywords
Antifouling, Antifouling property, ATR-IR spectroscopy, Blend membranes, Bovine serum albumin proteins (BSA), BSA, D. transmission electron microscopes (TEM), Field emission scanning electron microscopy, Membrane surface, NF membranes, Percolation thresholds, Permeation properties, Pure water, Time dependent, TiO, Titanium dioxide nanotubes, Ultra-filtration membranes, Water swelling, Blending, Chitosan, Contact angle, Desalination, Field emission microscopes, Membranes, Nanofiltration, Nanotubes, Percolation (computer storage), Percolation (fluids), Rheology, Titanium dioxide, Transmission electron microscopy, Ultrafiltration, Water filtration, Permeation, antifouling, chitin, desalination, filtration, infrared spectroscopy, membrane, performance assessment, polymer, rheology, swelling, transmission electron microscopy, viscosity
Citation
Desalination, 2013, 316, , pp. 76-84