Biofouling alleviation and flux enhancement of electrospun PAN microfiltration membranes by embedding of para‐aminobenzoate alumoxane nanoparticles

Abstract

Membrane bioreactor (MBR) as a hybrid technology for wastewater treatment is becoming more popular for wastewater treatment. However, membrane fouling has hindered the widespread application of MBRs. Many efforts have been done for fouling mitigation. In this study, high flux and antifouling microfiltration membranes with unique surface structure, high surface porosity, and permeability were prepared by electrospinning technique. Initially, the optimum thickness of electrospun polyacrylonitrile (PAN) membranes was determined and then, electrospun PAN membrane at optimum thickness were prepared by embedding para‐aminobenzoate alumoxane (PABA) nanoparticles at different concentrations. The effect of PABA nanoparticles on membrane performance was investigated. To investigate the characterization of the prepared membranes Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X‐ray spectroscopy, and water contact angle measurement were employed. The flux recovery ratio results revealed that the antifouling properties of the electrospun PAN membrane were enhanced by modification. The 3 wt % electrospun PABA embedded PAN had the best permeability, hydrophilicity, and antifouling properties among the fabricated membranes and showed remarkable reusability during filtration. The results obtained suggested that the high flux and antifouling electrospun PAN membranes embedded PABA nanoparticles could be used as MBR membranes. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2018, 135, 45738.

Fabrication of durable superhydrophobic nanofibrous filters for oil‐water separation using three novel modified nanoparticles (ZnO‐NSPO, AlOO‐NSPO, and TiO2‐NSPO)

“…The peaks observed at 1458 and 1129 cm −1 were referred to the stretching vibration of CO bond of amide that was formed as a result of N‐TESPO modification. In the case of AlOO‐NSPO nanoparticles, the absorption peaks at 3086 and 3297 cm −1 were referred to the stretching vibration of Al‐OH bond . The existence of the peak at 1199 cm −1 was related to the asymmetric hydrogen bond of OH … OH of the boehmite.…”

“…PAN nanofibers were prepared via electrospinning technique, as schematically shown in Figure , which fully described in previous studies . In this study, a high voltage power supply was applied to the PAN solution in a 1 mL syringe connected to a metallic needle with length and internal diameter of 3.5 and 0.5 mm, respectively.…”

The Key Role of Modifications in Biointerfaces toward Rendering Antibacterial and Antifouling Properties in Polymeric Membranes for Water Remediation: A Critical Assessment

“…[55] As per the original IP method, a microporous PES based support is immersed in an aqueous solution Reproduced with permission. [53] Copyright 2017, Wiley Periodicals, Inc. From this study, it was concluded that during cold and hot stretching, the polymer secondary crystals structures gets converted to bridged structures.…”

“…[50] Among them, the hydrophilic polymers like PAN, cross-linked PVA, and CA have edge over hydrophobic polymers like PVDF because these materials resist bacterial and protein fouling. Moradi et al [53] obtained PAN-based ENM membranes for different spinning time and observed different average fiber thickness, mean pore size, and average porosity. Moradi et al [53] obtained PAN-based ENM membranes for different spinning time and observed different average fiber thickness, mean pore size, and average porosity.…”

“…[17,42,51,52] This will be discussed in detail in the next section. Moradi et al [53] obtained PAN-based ENM membranes for different spinning time and observed different average fiber thickness, mean pore size, and average porosity. Table 3 summarizes their membrane properties with respect to spinning time and Figure 5 shows the SEM micrographs of the same.…”