TY - JOUR
T1 - Development of Polyethersulfone/α-Zirconium phosphate (PES/α-ZrP) flat-sheet nanocomposite ultrafiltration membranes
AU - Abdulkarem, Elham
AU - Ibrahim, Yazan
AU - Naddeo, Vincenzo
AU - Banat, Fawzi
AU - Hasan, Shadi W.
N1 - Funding Information:
Special thanks to the Center for Membranes and Advanced Water Technology (CMAT) (Award No. RC2-2018-009) at Khalifa University of Science and Technologyin Abu Dhabi (UAE) for their support.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 Institution of Chemical Engineers
PY - 2020/9
Y1 - 2020/9
N2 - This research aimed at synthesizing polyethersulfone/α-zirconium phosphate (PES/ α-ZrP) flat-sheet nanocomposite ultrafiltration (UF) membranes. The impact of α-ZrP nanoparticle (NP) addition on the morphology, functionalities, hydrophilicity, and surface charge of the membrane, among others, were investigated. Different concentrations of α-ZrP NPs (0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1.00 wt.%) were tested. Membranes surface morphology was investigated by Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Microscopic analyses affirmed that the α-ZrP NPs were successfully incorporated into the PES membranes. Also, the composite membranes were hydrophilic reporting increased mechanical strength, porosity, and thermal stability than the pristine PES membrane. An overall removal efficiency of 70.2 ± 1.0, 99.7 ± 0.2, 81.7 ± 1.1, 74.4 ± 1.5, and 91.5 ± 2.0 % for Cd2+, Cu2+, Ni2+, Pb2+, and Zn2+ was reported, respectively when 0.25 wt.% of α-ZrP NPs was added. The enhanced capabilities of the composite membranes in the heavy metal removal was ascribed to the increased electrostatic attraction forces with the metal ions in the solution and the surface of the PES/α-ZrP composite membrane. Lastly, the developed membranes demonstrated less fouling with self-cleaning properties which can be very beneficial in the field of industrial wastewater treatment.
AB - This research aimed at synthesizing polyethersulfone/α-zirconium phosphate (PES/ α-ZrP) flat-sheet nanocomposite ultrafiltration (UF) membranes. The impact of α-ZrP nanoparticle (NP) addition on the morphology, functionalities, hydrophilicity, and surface charge of the membrane, among others, were investigated. Different concentrations of α-ZrP NPs (0.25, 0.50, 0.75, and 1.00 wt.%) were tested. Membranes surface morphology was investigated by Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Microscopic analyses affirmed that the α-ZrP NPs were successfully incorporated into the PES membranes. Also, the composite membranes were hydrophilic reporting increased mechanical strength, porosity, and thermal stability than the pristine PES membrane. An overall removal efficiency of 70.2 ± 1.0, 99.7 ± 0.2, 81.7 ± 1.1, 74.4 ± 1.5, and 91.5 ± 2.0 % for Cd2+, Cu2+, Ni2+, Pb2+, and Zn2+ was reported, respectively when 0.25 wt.% of α-ZrP NPs was added. The enhanced capabilities of the composite membranes in the heavy metal removal was ascribed to the increased electrostatic attraction forces with the metal ions in the solution and the surface of the PES/α-ZrP composite membrane. Lastly, the developed membranes demonstrated less fouling with self-cleaning properties which can be very beneficial in the field of industrial wastewater treatment.
KW - Anti-Fouling
KW - Fabrication
KW - Heavy metals
KW - Membranes
KW - Nanomaterials
KW - Wastewater
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85088393828&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.cherd.2020.07.006
DO - 10.1016/j.cherd.2020.07.006
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85088393828
SN - 0263-8762
VL - 161
SP - 206
EP - 217
JO - Chemical Engineering Research and Design
JF - Chemical Engineering Research and Design
ER -