Development of iron oxide decorated graphene oxide (Fe3O4/GO) PSf mixed-matrix membrane for enhanced antifouling behavior. (December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chai, P.V.; Law, J.Y.; Mahmoudi, E.; Mohammad, A.W.
• Is Part Of: Journal of water process engineering. Volume 38(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-12
• Subjects: Mixed-matrix membrane -- Graphene oxide -- Iron-oxide decorated graphene oxide nanohybrid -- Polysulfone -- Nanomaterial; Water-supply engineering -- Periodicals; Saline water conversion -- Periodicals; Seawater -- Distillation -- Periodicals; Sanitary engineering -- Periodicals; Sewage -- Purification -- Periodicals; 627
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jwpe.2020.101673
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2214-7144

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Fe3 O4 /GO nanohybrid were successfully synthesized by co-precipitation methods. The flux decline for optimized membrane, M5-0.6 decline from 41 % to 23 %. The hydrophilicity of the optimized membrane, M5-0.6 increased by 11.42 %. The permeate flux and Congo Red rejection for M5-0.6 membrane was recorded at 87.01 L/m 2 .h and 98 % respectively. The antifouling properties of the optimized membrane, M5-0.6 flux recovery ratio was measured as high as 95 %. Abstract: Water pollution is a severe issue to the environment globally. The removal of the pollutant from the water sources are unavoidable and it can be achieved through new generation types of membrane, generally known as mixed-matrix membrane (MMM). However, the stability of single nanomaterials in mixed-matrix membrane remains as a major obstacle to obtain a stable membrane performance. Hence, the goal of the study is to investigate the effect of nanohybrid towards the enhancement of MMM followed by optimizing nanohybrid concentration that required to produce the desire membrane. First, graphene oxide (GO) and iron oxide decorated graphene oxide nanohybrid (Fe3 O4 /GO) were synthesized using modified Hummer's method and co-precipitation in the presence of GO prior to the incorporation into polysulfone (PSf) matrix while the membranes were fabricated via phase inversion method. The optimal membrane, M5-0.6 (0.6 wt% Fe3 O4 /GO nanohybrid concentration) showed that, the hydrophilicity of the modified membrane increased by 11.42 % from 78.8° to 69.8° attributed to the presence of hydrophilic nanohybrid that favor the transport water molecules across the membrane. Associated with this, M5-0.6 membrane showed better permeation flux of 87.01 L/m 2 .h and Congo red rejection of 98 % as compared to neat membrane at 51.82 L/m 2 .h and 87 %. Additionally, the M5-0.6 membrane also experience better antifouling properties at high flux recovery ratio (FRR) of 95 % while the neat membrane showed lower FRR of 87 %. Besides, M5-0.6 membrane also showed better stability as indicated by the lower flux decline at 23 % as compare to neat membrane at 41 %.