Where is the best site for loading nanoparticles in a membrane? To achieve a high flux and cephalexin separation simultaneously. (December 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Karimi, Rezvan; Homayoonfal, Maryam; Davar, Fatemeh
• Is Part Of: Journal of water process engineering. Volume 38(2020)
• Publication Date: 2020-12
• Subjects: Nanocomposite membrane -- Cephalexin -- Fe3O4 nanoparticle -- ZrO2 nanoparticle; Water-supply engineering -- Periodicals; Saline water conversion -- Periodicals; Seawater -- Distillation -- Periodicals; Sanitary engineering -- Periodicals; Sewage -- Purification -- Periodicals; 627
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jwpe.2020.101578
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2214-7144

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Support (sub) and selective (top) layer have potential for nanoparticle loading. Loading ZrO2 or Fe3 O4 in support layer decreases pore size so enhances separation. Loading Fe3 O4 /ZrO2 in top-layer improves surface hydrophilicity so enhances flux. Loading in both top and sublayer decreases surface roughness so mitigates fouling. Fe3 O4 /ZrO2 in top and ZrO2 in sublayer provide high flux and cephalexin separation. Abstract: In this research, with the aim of achieving a high flux and rejection of cephalexin antibiotic simultaneously, separate modifications were performed on the membrane top layer (selective layer) and substrate layer (support layer). Fe3 O4 (Fe) and ZrO2 (Zr) nanoparticles were synthesized for modifying the PAN support layer, while Fe3 O4 /ZrO2 (FZ) nanoparticles were synthesized for modifying the PA top layer. In this regard, five types of nanocomposite membranes were synthesized: In order to regulate the porosity of the support layer, P A F e 2 @ P A N and P A Z r 2 @ P A N membranes were synthesized which showed more pores number compared to P A P A N membrane. In order to enhance the surface hydrophilicity, F Z 2 @ P A P A N membrane was synthesized, which showed around 16% lower contact angle and 58% greater roughness compared to P A P A N membrane. In order to compensate for the roughness developed on the membrane surface, concurrent modifications were performed on the top and support layers; the F Z 2 @ P A F e 2 @ P A N and F Z 2 @ P A Z r 2 @ P A N membranes were synthesized, which separated cephalexin by 91% and 95.8%. Comparison of the performance of the synthesized membrane with that of commercial FILMTEC (NF270-2450) membrane showed that the cephalexin rejection (95 ± 1) and flux recovery (99 ± 1) of F Z 2 @ P A Z r 2 @ P A N are almost the same as cephalexin rejection (98 ± 1) and flux recovery (96 ± 1) of commercial membrane. From permeation point of view, F Z 2 @ P A Z r 2 @ P A N membrane at transmembrane pressure of 4 bar and cross flow velocity of 0.5 m/s had a water flux of 49 L/m 2 .h and cephalexin flux of 38 L/m 2 .h, while NF270-2450 at the same condition had a water flux of 42 L/m 2 .h and cephalexin flux of 25 L/m 2 .h.