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Enhancing performance and surface antifouling properties of polysulfone ultrafiltration membranes with salicylate-alumoxane nanoparticles
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Enhancing performance and surface antifouling properties of polysulfone ultrafiltration membranes with salicylate-alumoxane nanoparticles

Samaneh Mokhtari, Ahmad Rahimpour, Ahmad Arabi Shamsabadi, Setareh Habibzadeh and Masoud Soroush
Applied surface science, v 393, pp 93-102
30 Jan 2017

Abstract

PS ultrafiltration membranes Salicylate-alumoxane nanoparticles Surface antifouling properties Surface hydrophilicity
•Salicylate-alumoxane (SA) as novel hydrophilic nanoparticle was successfully synthesized.•Surface properties of UF membranes were improved by loading optimized SA in the membrane structure.•The modification by SA significantly improved the anti-fouling ability of UF membrane. To improve the hydrophilicity and antifouling properties of polysulfone (PS) ultrafiltration membranes, we studied the use of salicylate-alumoxane (SA) nanoparticles as a novel hydrophilic additive. The effects of SA nanoparticles on the membrane characteristics and performance were investigated in terms of membrane structure, permeation flux, solute rejection, hydrophilicity, and antifouling ability. The new mixed-matrix membranes (MMMs) possess asymmetric structures. They have smaller finger-like pores and smoother surfaces than the neat PS membranes. The embedment of SA nanoparticles in the polymer matrix and the improvement of surface hydrophilicity were investigated. Ultrafiltration experiments indicated that the pure-water flux of the new MMMs initially increases with SA nanoparticles loading followed by a decrease at high loadings. Higher BSA solution flux was achieved for the MMMs compared to the neat PS membranes. Membranes with 1wt.% SA nanoparticles exhibit the highest flux recovery ratio of 87% and the lowest irreversible fouling of 13%.

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UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

This publication has contributed to the advancement of the following goals:

#6 Clean Water and Sanitation

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Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
International collaboration
Web of Science research areas
Chemistry, Physical
Materials Science, Coatings & Films
Physics, Applied
Physics, Condensed Matter
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