title: A carbon nanotube-infused polysulfone membrane with polyvinyl alcohol layer for treating oil-containing waste water.
abstract: A carbon nanotube (CNT) integrated polymer composite membrane with a polyvinyl alcohol barrier layer has been prepared to separate oil from water for treatment of oil-containing waste water. The CNTs were synthesised using chemical vapour deposition, and a phase inversion method was employed for the blending of the CNTs in the polymer composite solution for casting of the membrane. Relative to the baseline polymer, an increase of 119% in the tensile strength, 77% in the Young's modulus and 258% in the toughness is seen for a concentration of 7.5% CNTs in the polymer composite. The permeate through the membrane shows oil concentrations below the acceptable 10 mg/L limit with an excellent throughput and oil rejection of over 95%.
authors.affiliation: School of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, P/Bag 3, Wits 2050, South Africa.
authors.forename: Selby
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Maphutha
authors.forename: Kapil
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Moothi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Meyyappan
authors.forename: Sunny E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Iyuke
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D007219:Industrial Oils; D007220:Industrial Waste; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000737:chemistry*; D011108:Polymers / Q000737:chemistry*; D011142:Polyvinyl Alcohol / Q000737:chemistry; D013450:Sulfones / Q000737:chemistry*; D014865:Waste Disposal, Fluid; D062065:Wastewater / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D007220:Industrial Waste; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon; D011108:Polymers; D011142:Polyvinyl Alcohol; D013450:Sulfones; D062065:Wastewater; C017662:polysulfone P 1700