Developing PES membrane by modified Co3O4–OA nanoparticles for direct contact membrane distillation process. Issue 4 (13th June 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gholamzadeh, Nika; Peyravi, Majid; Jahanshahi, Mohsen; Hoseinpour, Hamzeh; Rad, Ali Shokuhi
• Is Part Of: Asia-Pacific journal of chemical engineering. Volume 12:Issue 4(2017:Jul./Aug.)
• Page Start: 582
• Page End: 594
• Publication Date: 2017-06-13
• Subjects: cobalt oxide nanoparticle -- hydrophobic modification -- nanocomposite membrane -- membrane distillation -- desalination; Chemical engineering -- Periodicals; 660
• DOI: 10.1002/apj.2100
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1932-2135

Abstract

Abstract: Modified hydrophobic cobalt oxide (Co3 O4 ) nanoparticles were used to develop polyethersulfone (PES) nanocomposite membranes via phase inversion technique for direct contact membrane distillation (DCMD). Co3 O4 nanoparticles were treated by oleic acid (OA) to decrease the surface energy and agglomeration. The effect of incorporating different concentrations of Co3 O4 –OA nanoparticles (0–4 wt%) into the PES dope solution was studied. The prepared membranes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), water contact angle and porosity and pore size measurements. Due to the increase in pore size, the membrane performance improved, and the vapour flux increased upon the incorporation of 4 wt% of nanoparticles. The salt rejection was greater than 99.8% when a 3.5 g/L sodium chloride. As a result, the Co3 O4 –OA modified PES membrane could provide an opportunity for desalination by DCMD process with good perm selectivity. Copyright © 2017 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.