Evaluation of a Quaternized Polyethersulfone Membrane Enhanced with Amine Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes for Forward Osmosis Application

Authors

1 University of Johannesburg, Chemical Sciences, Johannesburg, 2028. South Africa.

2 Department of Chemical Sciences, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa

Abstract

Multiwall carbon nanotubes (CNTs) were quaternized (QCNTs) with trimethylamine to form an anionic conductive CNTS then blended with quaternized polyethersulfone membrane (QPES) by phase invasion method to obtain a composite membrane with higher permeation, improved rejection and enhanced antifouling properties for forward osmosis  application. The membranes and QCNTs were characterized using SEM, TGA, NMR, Raman and FTIR. The fabricated  composite membranes showed that addition of QCNTs can improve membrane basic properties when compared to commercial polyethersulfone membranes. This observed improvement could be attributed to the incorporated oxygen  and amine functionalities in the CNTs. The 0.1 wt % QCNTs showed a contact angle of 64º, reverse solute flux of 7.4 and  6.2 Lm-2h-1 for NaCl and MgSO4 respectively compared to an original pure water flux of 8.058 Lm-2h-1. Humic acid was  used as a foulant, when the composited was fouled using humic acid, the 0.1wt.% QCNTs showed a reverse solute flux of  5.7 and 5.0 Lm-2h-1 respectively at room temperature.

Graphical Abstract

Evaluation of a Quaternized Polyethersulfone Membrane Enhanced with Amine Functionalized Carbon Nanotubes for Forward Osmosis Application

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Journal of Membrane Science and Research
Volume 8, Issue 1
Special Issue: Membranes for Development and Sustainable Future
January 2022

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History

  • Receive Date: 05 October 2020
  • Revise Date: 13 November 2020
  • Accept Date: 25 November 2020
  • First Publish Date: 25 November 2020

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