Promoting the separation and antifouling properties of polyethersulfone-based nanofiltration membrane by incorporating of cobalt ferrite/activated carbon composite nanoparticles

• Published in: Chemical engineering research & design 2021-05, Vol.169, p.204-213
• Main Authors: Zareei, F., Bandehali, S., Parvizian, F., Hosseini, S.M., Shen, J.N.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: (CoFe2O4/AC) composite nanoparticles; Activated carbon; Antifouling; Carbon; Chemical precipitation; Chemical synthesis; Cobalt ferrites; Composite materials; Contact angle; Heavy metal ions removal; High permeability; Membranes; Mixed matrix; Nanofiltration; Nanoparticles; Polyethersulfones; Pore size; Porosity; Stable flux/Antifouling property
• ISSN: 0263-8762; 1744-3563
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cherd.2021.03.016

•New (PES-CoFe2O4/AC) membrane was prepared using phase inversion method.•Surface hydrophilicity & antifouling ability of blended membranes enhanced obviously.•(PES-CoFe2O4/AC) membrane showed high permeability and more stable flux.•Na2SO4 & NaCl rejections raised from 55%, 42% for PES membrane to 95%, 85% for MMM.•Pb, Ni & Cu rejections measured 86, 90 & 97% for (PES-CoFe2O4/AC) membrane. In this study, a mixed matrix polyethersulfone-based nanofiltration membrane was prepared by incorporation of (cobalt ferrite/activated carbon) composite nanoparticles. The composite nanoparticles were also synthesized using the chemical precipitation technique. The FTIR, XRD and FESEM were used to characterize the synthesized nanoparticles. The fabricated membranes were also studied using SEM, 3D surface image, and water contact angle, mean pore size and porosity measurements. The water flux, salt rejection and antifouling ability of membranes were investigated. The blended membranes showed a more hydrophilic and smoother surface compared to the pristine membrane. The membrane PWF was declined initially using 0.05wt. % (CoFe2O4/AC) nanoparticles into membrane body and then enhanced by a further increase of nanoparticles’ concentration up to 0.1wt. % in membrane matrix; PWF was reduced again for the blended membranes at higher concentration of nanoparticles. The NaCl and Na2SO4 rejections were enhanced from (42% to 85%) and (55% to 95%) by the use of (CoFe2O4/AC) nanoparticles into the membrane body. The blended membranes also exhibited appropriate anti-fouling property and more stable flux compared to the pristine membrane. The highest Pb2+, Ni2+, and Cu2+ rejections were found 86%, 90%, and 97%, respectively, for the blended membrane containing of 1wt. % (CoFe2O4/AC) compared to others.