A new fouling resistance polyethersulfone ultrafiltration membrane embedded by metformin-modified FSM-16: Fabrication, characterization and performance evaluation in emulsified oil-water separation

Abstract

Mixed matrix membrane (MMM) is a known and useful method for the incorporation of nanomaterials to fabricate efficient membranes for water purification. The compatibility of filler (i.e., nanomaterials) and the polymeric matrix is challenging in the design of composite membranes. This study elucidates the performance of polyethersulfone-based membrane (i.e., permeation flux, oil-water emulsion filtration, and membrane stability) with the incorporation of hydrophilic porous nanomaterials, e.g., FSM-16 and metformin-modified FSM-16 (noted as FSM-16-Met). The membranes with modified FSM-16 exhibited significant improvements in physical stability (thermal and mechanical) and surface hydrophilicity (78.98–41.37º for optimal membrane). A considerable enhancement in pure water flux (29.18–132.7 kg/m2 h for optimal membrane) and remarkable antifouling improvement (FRR: 43.94–96.74% for optimal membrane) were observed for the membranes incorporated with FSM-16-Met, compared to those with FSM-16, in the oily wastewater separation in different conditions (oil concentration: 100, 300, and 500 ppm; temperature: 30–90 °C; and pressure: 3–6 bar).