The effect of functional carbon nanotubes on the permeability of ultrafiltration nanocomposite PVDF membranes

Abstract

Flux and antifouling performance of poly(vinylidnene fluoride) (PVDF) (15wt%.) nanocomposite ultrafiltration membrane with different functional carbon nanotubes (–COOH, –OH, –NH2) are considered. Membranes are prepared with phase‐inversion method using n‐methylpyrrolidone as solvent. This is the first time that hydrophilicity of different nanocomposite membranes are changing gradually, as performance of nanocomposite membrane are considered. Gradually changing of hydrophilicity explains behavior and performance of nanocomposite membrane. Scanning electron microscopy analysis of PVDF membrane with different functional multiwall carbon nanotube (FMWCNT) showed that all prepared membranes are asymmetric structure with a compact top layer and a bottom layer with large pore channels. All modified nanocomposite membranes show better hydrophilicity surface in compared with pristine PVDF membrane (87°). Results of pure water flux are approved by the result of contact angle and porosity. Measurement flux membranes with optimized percent FMWCNT is increased more than twofold compared to pristine membrane (146 L·m−2·hr−1). Atomic force microscopic also revealed that modified membranes have smaller roughness in compared with neat membrane (Sa = 270 nm). Flux recovery ratio analysis for all membranes is increased more than pure membrane (39%) because of better hydrophobicity and decrease of roughness. This subject is shown that FMWCNTs have no detrimental effect on mechanical resistance in modified membranes.

Effect of Loading and Functionalization of Carbon Nanotube on the Performance of Blended Polysulfone/Polyethersulfone Membrane during Treatment of Wastewater Containing Phenol and Benzene

“…From these results, it is seen that embedding CNTs did improve the mechanical strength of the membrane in agreement with the literature [14][15][16]. The improvement in the tensile strength of the membrane could be attributed to the enhanced interaction between the polymer matrix and CNTs [17].…”

“…The membrane with fCNT further reduced the roughness as compared to that of pCNTs; this is due to the added carboxylic acid groups on the CNTs surface that reduce the adhesion of fouling agents. Previous literature has reported that during phase inversion, fCNTs tend to travel towards the surface of the membrane, thus inducing the hydrophilic nature of the surface as expected [17]. Additionally, an increase membrane provides more opportunity for water to chemically associate with the membrane surface rather than foulants [18].…”

“…For this study, the AFM was used to analyze the effect of CNT loading in the PSF/PES membrane by looking at the peak-to-valley and surface roughness measurements of the prepared membranes. In general, imbedding CNTs alters the properties of the membrane surface, thus generating electrostatic forces between polymer chains [17]. As observed in Table 2, it is shown that roughness of increase in CNT loading, making the membranes smoother compared to blended polymers.…”

Investigation of the applicability of TiO2, BiVO4, and WO3 nanomaterials for advanced photocatalytic membranes used for oil‐in‐water emulsion separation

“…A promising way to solve the flux reduction is to minimize the interaction between the oily foulants and membrane surface by improving the membrane's hydrophilicity 28,29 . Different nanomaterials can be used for this purpose, thus achieving higher flux and even higher rejection rates compared with conventional membranes 30–32 . Titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) nanoparticles proved to be useful in enhancing the membrane's hydrophilicity—therefore achieving higher fluxes—during the filtration of oily wastewaters 33–39 .…”

Electrospray flow rate influenced the sized of functionalized soot nanoparticles

“…Commonly, nanoparticles categorized into organic, inorganic, and carbon‐based particles. Among them, carbon‐based nanoparticles have attracted researchers with intense interest due to their unique combinations of chemical and physical properties for instances high thermal and electrical conductivity high mechanical strength as well as optical properties . Candle is generally composed of paraffin that is made of heavy straight‐chain hydrocarbons obtained from crude petroleum oil and commonly used as a source of light since ancient times.…”