Fabrication of High Flux Polysulfone/Mesoporous Silica Nanocomposite Ultrafiltration Membranes for Industrial Wastewater Treatment

Abstract

The inclusion of nanosphere particles like mesoporous silica MSNS~500(nm) inside the membrane substance matrix substantially enhanced water permeability and dye rejection. The dry/wet stage conversion method was employed for fabricating all membranes. The influence of different concentrations for MSNS (0–8% wt.%) in the existence of povidone (PVP) acting in the role of pore-forming on the behavior of the PSF-UF membrane was investigated. Results revealed that as soon as MSNS level grew up till 6 wt. percent, the rejection of Methylene blue (MB) dye gradually increased. The morphological properties of UF-produced membranes PS/PVP/SiO2 were investigated using scanning electron microscopy. They demonstrated a considerable degree of MB rejection of 84.7 percent, as well as an increase in MSNS concentration to 6 wt. percent. Besides, as the MSNS concentration raised to 6 wt.%, the membrane's permeability dropped from 429.2 L/m2.h for PS/PVP to 136 L/m2.h for PS/PVP/SiO2 (6%) membrane. Only water was permitted to pass across the hydrophilic UF fabricated membrane on the feed side, improving the quality of the water stream on permeate portion, making the fabricated membranes appropriate for industrial treatment of wastewater. The addendum of the polyvinylpyrrolidone acting as an additive to the investigated membranes enhanced their efficiency.