Solubility determination of boehmite nanoparticles and modeling of solution thermodynamics of blend polymeric membranes

Abstract

The solubility of boehmite nanoparticles was determined experimentally for 20 different solvents using Hansen solubility parameter method (HSP). The algorithm given by Gharagheizi was optimized using MATLAB. The solubility was found as, δ = 33.08 MPa 1/2 with, δ D = 16.50 MPa 1/2 , δ P = 15.54 MPa 1/2 , and δ H = 24.09 MPa 1/2 . Flory-Huggin's theory was used to model the quarternary system of a blend polymeric membrane. The thermodynamic equations were solved and optimized using MATLAB and ternary phase diagrams were obtained for different filler compositions. Thermodynamic enhancement and kinetic hindrance parameters were obtained to predict the membrane morphologies. The porosity of the membrane was increased with the addition of nanoparticles. Contact angle of the membrane was decreased from 84.45 to 50.2 .

Preparation of novel Polyvinylidene fluoride/boehmite composite membrane made using nonsolvent induced phase separation method for arsenate ion removal from water

“…An increase in boehmite nanoparticle concentration in the PVDF membrane has increased the number of pores and decreased the pore size. [30] This can also be verified with the results obtained with BET characterization, where the size of the pore is reduced and the surface area increased with filler addition.…”

“…The nanoparticles cannot be observed on the top surface of the membrane, and this observation can also be validated with an FTIR study. [ 30 ] The characteristic peak of the boehmite nanoparticle cannot be observed in the FTIR peak of PVDF/boehmite composite membrane. [ 30 ]…”

“…[ 30 ] The characteristic peak of the boehmite nanoparticle cannot be observed in the FTIR peak of PVDF/boehmite composite membrane. [ 30 ]…”

“…The rate of liquid–liquid de‐mixing is responsible for membrane morphology, and this can be understand using a ternary phase diagram. [ 30,31 ] It is evident that when the filler content increases, the pore size decreases. Also, the macrovoids near the top surface of the membrane are due to the hydrophilic nature of the boehmite nanoparticle.…”