Coupling TiO2 nanoparticles with UV irradiation for modification of polyethersulfone ultrafiltration membranes

• DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2007.12.075
• Publication Date: 2008-01-21T12:19:07Z
• Authors: A. Rahimpour; S.S. Madaeni; A.H. Taheri; Y. Mansourpanah
• Keywords: 02 engineering and technology; 0210 nano-technology; 16. Peace & justice; 6. Clean water

Abstract Polyethersulfone ultrafiltration membranes prepared via immersion precipitation were modified by TiO 2 nanoparticles and UV irradiation. Three sets of membranes, i.e. TiO 2 -entrapped membranes, UV-irradiated TiO 2 -entrapped membranes and UV-irradiated TiO 2 -deposited membranes were prepared. The membranes were characterized by contact angle, SEM, FTIR, cross-flow filtration (pure water flux and milk water permeation) and antifouling measurements. The initial flux of TiO 2 -entrapped membrane was lower than the initial flux of neat PES membrane. However, the former membrane showed lower flux decline compared to the neat PES membrane. UV-irradiated TiO 2 -entrapped membranes represented higher flux and higher antifouling properties compared to TiO 2 -entrapped membranes. Contact angle measurement, FTIR and surface SEM image indicate that the TiO 2 nanoparticles uniformly settled on the membrane surface by dipping the membrane into the TiO 2 colloidal suspension. Flux behavior of 0.03 wt.% UV-irradiated TiO 2 -deposited membrane indicated higher performance and antifouling properties. TiO 2 colloidal suspension with 0.03 wt.%, 15 min immersion and 15 min UV irradiation with 160 W lamp were determined as the optimum conditions for modification of PES membrane. Finally, a comparison between UV-irradiated TiO 2 -entrapped and deposited membranes proved that coating TiO 2 on membrane surface is a superior technique for the modification of PES membranes to minimize membrane fouling.