Fabrication and antifouling behaviour of a carbon nanotube membrane. (5th January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ihsanullah, ; Al Amer, Adnan M.; Laoui, Tahar; Abbas, Aamir; Al-Aqeeli, Nasser; Patel, Faheemuddin; Khraisheh, Marwan; Atieh, Muataz Ali; Hilal, Nidal
• Is Part Of: Materials & design. Volume 89(2016)
• Page Start: 549
• Page End: 558
• Publication Date: 2016-01-05
• Subjects: Membrane -- Iron oxide -- Water treatment -- Carbon nanotubes -- Sodium alginate; Materials -- Periodicals; Engineering design -- Periodicals; Matériaux -- Périodiques; Conception technique -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1016/j.matdes.2015.10.018
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0264-1275

Abstract

Abstract: In this work, a novel approach is used to synthesize an iron oxide doped carbon nanotube (CNT) membrane, with the goal of fully utilizing the unique properties of CNTs. No binder is used for the synthesis of the membrane; instead, iron oxide particles serve as a binding agent for holding the CNTs together after sintering at high temperature. The produced membrane exhibited a high water flux and strong fouling resistance. In the first step, CNTs were impregnated with various loadings of iron oxide (1, 10, 20, 30 and 50%) via wet chemistry techniques. Impregnated CNTs were then compacted at 200 MPa and sintered at 1350 °C for 5 h to form a compact disc. The membranes were analysed by measuring their porosity, contact angle, diametrical compression test and water flux. The flux of pure water was observed to increase with an increase in iron oxide content. The permeate flux and rejection rate of sodium alginate (SA) were determined to predict the antifouling behaviour of the membrane. A maximum removal of 90 and 88% of SA was achieved for membranes with a 10 and 1% iron oxide content, respectively, after 3 h. A minor decline in the permeate flux was observed for all membranes after 4 h of operation. Graphical abstract: Highlights: Membranes comprising of iron oxide-impregnated carbon nanotube were synthesized. The iron oxide nanoparticles serve as a binder to hold the nanotubes together in the matrix. The novel CNT membrane exhibited high water flux and strong antifouling behaviour. The membrane characteristics were influenced by the iron oxide content.