Preparation and Characterization of Polymeric-Hybrid PES/TiO2 Hollow Fiber Membranes for Potential Applications in Water Treatment

Abstract

Abstract:In this work, poly(ethersulfone) (PES) ultrafiltration (UF) hollow fibers (HF) were modified by introducing TiO 2 nanoparticles (TiO 2 -NPs) in the polymeric dope, to endow them with photocatalytic properties. Different dope compositions and spinning conditions for producing "blank" PES UF fibers with suitable properties were investigated. PEO-PPO-PEO (Poly(ethylene glycol)-block-poly(propylene glycol)-block-poly(ethylene glycol, Pluronic ® (Sigma-Aldrich, Milan, Italy) was finally selected as the additive and a suitable dope composition was identified. After the detection of an appropriate dope composition and the optimization of the spinning parameters, PES-TiO 2 HF was produced. The optimized composition was employed for preparing the mixed matrix HF loaded with TiO 2 NPs. The effect of different TiO 2 NP (0.3-1 wt %) concentrations and bore fluid compositions on the fiber morphology and properties were explored. The morphology of the produced fibers was analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Fibers were further characterized by measuring: pore size diameters and thickness, porosity, and pure water permeability (PWP). The photocatalytic activity of the new membranes was also tested by UV light irradiation. The model "foulant" methylene blue (MB) was used in order to prove the efficiency of the novel UF membrane for dye photo-degradation.

Fabrication of electrospun polyethersulfone/titanium dioxide (PES/TiO2) composite nanofibers membrane and its application for photocatalytic degradation of phenol in aqueous solution

“…UV‐A irradiation stability test was also used to determine the stability of PES/TiO 2 nanofibers membranes In this regard, pure water flux for PES/TiO 2 nanofibers membrane (M 8 ) is shown in Figure . The results reveal that the permeability values decreased very fast during the first 2 hours and then it reached a constant value.…”

“…UV-A irradiation stability test was also used to determine the stability of PES/TiO 2 nanofibers membranes 48 In this regard, pure water flux for PES/TiO 2 nanofibers membrane (M 8 ) is shown in Figure 12.…”

Application of Hybrid Membrane Processes Coupling Separation and Biological or Chemical Reaction in Advanced Wastewater Treatment

“…Various types of membranes have been studied to be applied in photocatalysis, such as inorganic and polymeric, under UV and visible light irradiations [ 24 , 27 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 43 ]. Moreover, the use of visible light in photocatalysis permits the use of renewable solar energy in view to obtain a sustainable process [ 24 , 27 ].…”

High-Pressure Aging of Asymmetric Torlon® Hollow Fibers for Helium Separation from Natural Gas

“…As shown later, the membrane was capable of withstanding elevated pressures of up to 80 bar. For a further improvement of mechanical properties, macrovoids in the structure can be eliminated, which can be accomplished by increasing the dope viscosity [11,36] or through the proper adjustment of spinning parameters [37]. SEM microscopy allowed studying the selective skin-layer region of the hollow fiber (Figure 4a,b).…”