Improvements in permeation and fouling resistance of PVC ultrafiltration membranes via addition of Tetronic-1107 and Triton X-100 as two non-ionic and hydrophilic surfactants.
Two non-ionic and hydrophilic surfactant additives, Tetronic-1107 and Triton X-100, were added to poly(vinyl chloride)/NMP polymeric solution to prepare ultrafiltration membranes via immersion precipitation. Surfactants at three different weight percentages up to 6 wt% were added, and the fabricated membranes were characterized and their performance for water treatment in the presence of bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a foulant was assessed. The scanning electron microscopy images indicated remarkable changes in morphology due to higher thermodynamic instability after surfactant addition. The membranes are more porous with more macro-voids in the sub-layer. Plus, the membranes become more hydrophilic. Water flux increases for the modified membranes by nearly two times and the ability of membranes for flux recovery increases from 66% to over 83%. BSA rejection reduces slightly with the addition of surfactants, however this parameter is still almost over 90% for the membranes with the highest amount of surfactants.
Young Researchers and Elites Club, North Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran E-mail: hesamoddin.rabiee@gmail.com.
Hesamoddin
H
Rabiee
Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, Sharif University of Technology, Azadi Avenue, P.O. Box 11155 9465, Tehran, Iran.
S Mojtaba
SM
Seyedi
Young Researchers and Elites Club, North Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran E-mail: hesamoddin.rabiee@gmail.com.
Hossein
H
Rabiei
Young Researchers and Elites Club, North Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran E-mail: hesamoddin.rabiee@gmail.com.
Negar
N
Alvandifar
D057219:Biofouling / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005029:Ethylenediamines; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D017830:Octoxynol; D011108:Polymers; D011143:Polyvinyl Chloride; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine / Q000737:chemistry; D012996:Solutions; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; D014462:Ultrafiltration / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000737:chemistry; D018508:Water Purification / Q000379:methods
D005029:Ethylenediamines; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D011108:Polymers; D012996:Solutions; D013501:Surface-Active Agents; C112299:Tetronic 1107; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D012710:Serum Albumin, Bovine; D011143:Polyvinyl Chloride; D017830:Octoxynol