Synthesis and Characterization of Anti‐fouling Ultrafiltration Nanocomposite Membranes Integrated with S‐β Zeolite Nanoparticles for Oily Wastewater Treatment

Abstract

Membrane separation has been proven to be highly effective in oily wastewater treatment, although fouling remains a persistent challenge. This study explored the incorporation of S‐β zeolite nanoparticles into an ultrafiltration membrane, forming a nanocomposite to tackle fouling and enhance water flux recovery. Porous nanoparticles were synthesized using sol‐gel and hydrothermal methods, featuring a remarkable surface area of 450 m2/g and pore sizes ranging from 50 to 175 nm according to BET results. These nanoparticles were integrated into the membranes at various concentrations using the phase inversion technique. The presence of S‐zeolite in the membrane was confirmed through FTIR, EDX, and SEM analyses. The S‐β1 nanocomposite membrane demonstrated exceptional antifouling properties, particularly at higher concentrations of oily wastewater. Its outstanding performance is attributed to its enhanced hydrophilicity and average pore size of 13±3 nm, which prevents fouling formation. Compared to other membranes, S‐β1 exhibited remarkable water flux recovery, reaching 100 % at an oil concentration of 50 ppm and 72 % at 1000 ppm. These results highlight the significant advantages of this nanocomposite in reducing fouling and improving the water flux recovery in oily wastewater treatment.