Synthesis, characterization and performance evaluation of PVDF-SPES-ZrO2 membrane

Abstract

Abstract: Ultrafiltration (UF) membranes were prepared by blending different proportion of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), sulphonated polyethersulphone (SPES) and nanoparticles of zirconium oxide (ZrO2). The functional groups, surface and cross-sectional morphologies were analysed using Fourier transform infrared, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction, respectively. The presence of particles and pores in the membrane is clearly revealed from the SEM photomicrographs. The effect of different transmembrane pressures is studied to evaluate the performance of membranes. The best value of the permeate flux with a low fouling recovery ratio is obtained at a transmembrane pressure of 0.3 MPa (3 bars). The performance of the membranes having 4 wt% ZrO2 nanoparticles was studied with and without backwash. The backwashing is capable of restoring the initial flux to about 90%. SPES and ZrO2 particles were found to play the role of antifouling agent and the hydrophilicity enhancer in the prepared composite membrane. © 2015 Balaban Desalination Publications. All rights reserved.