Permeation, antifouling and desalination performance of TiO2 nanotube incorporated PSf/CS blend membranes

Polysulfone (PSf) and chitosan (CS) blend membranes were prepared by incorporating titanium dioxide nanotubes (TiO2NT) in different compositions. The proper blending of PSf and CS in the PSf/CS/TiO2 membranes was confirmed by ATR-IR spectroscopy. The influence of nanotubes on morphology of membranes...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Desalination 2013-05, Vol.316, p.76-84
Main Authors: Kumar, Rajesha, Isloor, Arun M., Ismail, A.F., Rashid, Suraya A., Ahmed, Amir Al
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Antifouling
Applied sciences
bovine serum albumin
BSA
Chemical engineering
Chitosan
contact angle
desalination
Drinking water and swimming-pool water. Desalination
Exact sciences and technology
hydrophilicity
Membrane separation (reverse osmosis, dialysis...)
Membranes
Nanocomposites
Nanomaterials
Nanostructure
nanotubes
NF membrane
Penetration
Permeation
Pollution
scanning electron microscopy
spectroscopy
Titanium dioxide
ultrafiltration
viscosity
Water treatment and pollution
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Polysulfone (PSf) and chitosan (CS) blend membranes were prepared by incorporating titanium dioxide nanotubes (TiO2NT) in different compositions. The proper blending of PSf and CS in the PSf/CS/TiO2 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 TiO2NT on the membrane surface was determined by Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) analysis. The permeation property of PSf/CS/TiO2NT 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/TiO2NT 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. Polysulfone (PSf) and chitosan (CS) blend membranes were prepared by incorporating titanium dioxide nanotubes (TiO2NT) in different compositions. The nanotubes incorporated PSf/CS membranes showed enhanced permeation and antifouling properties compared to PSf/CS and nascent PSf ultrafiltration membranes. [Display omitted] ► TiO2NT were successfully introduced into polysulfone/chitosan blend membranes. ► The contact angle and water uptake studies revealed increased hydrophilicity. ► The BSA rejection studies showed enhanced antifouling properties. ► Rheological point of PSf/CS/TiO2NT solution lies in between 1.0 and 1.5wt.%. ► Prepared membranes are in NF range.
ISSN:0011-9164
1873-4464
DOI:10.1016/j.desal.2013.01.032