Abstract
In this study, high permeability flat sheet polysulfone nanofiltration membranes were prepared for amoxicillin (AMX) recovery from pharmaceutical wastewater. Membrane fabrication includes two steps: raw ultrafiltration membrane synthesis by phase inversion method and nanaofiltration membrane synthesis by surface photopolymerization. Raw ultrafiltration membranes were synthesized using different molecular weights of polyethylene glycol (PEG) as pore former and different coagulation bath temperatures (CBTs). The synthesized ultrafiltration membranes were modified using UV-assisted polymerization technique and their performance in the separation of AMX at different pHs, were studied. The results showed that the more irradiation time, the smaller surface pore size. Moreover, the membranes made with higher molecular weight of PEG and coagulation bath temperatures were more susceptible for UV-modification at these conditions; fabricated membranes had higher flux as well as relatively high AMX separation. Moreover, pH enhancement increased AMX rejection by 85%. The effect of irradiation on membrane surface morphology was studied by SEM surface images and the morphological effects of pore former and coagulation bath temperatures on membrane structure were confirmed by SEM cross section images. A fairly comprehensive discussion about the effects of PEG, coagulation bath temperature and irradiation time on membrane structure and AMX recovery performance was represented in this study.
Highlights
Antibiotics have transformed infectious diseases treatment to play an important role in improving health, reducing disease and mortality
As seen from the figure, the increase in coagulation bath temperatures (CBTs) deduces to increment in AMX recovery and decrement in AMX flux
Decrease in polyethylene glycol (PEG) MW has the similar effect to CBT on membrane performance
Summary
Antibiotics have transformed infectious diseases treatment to play an important role in improving health, reducing disease and mortality. The important issue about the effects of antibiotics on the environment, is the Persistence of pharmaceutical residues was demonstrated for common treatments applied in drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs), such as sand filtration [4], chemical coagulation/flocculation [5,6], chlorination [7], ultraviolet (UV) radiation [8], ozonation, advanced oxidation processes (AOP) and activated carbon [4]. Techniques that have been gaining attention in the past few years are pressure-driven membrane processes nanofiltration (NF) and reverse osmosis (RO). These two treatments seem to be able to effectively remove most organic and inorganic compounds and microorganisms from raw water [9,10] and their application in drinking water treatment has been the focus of attention of many researchers [11]
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