Abstract
The silver-zinc oxide (Ag-ZnO) polyamide thin film composite (PA-TFC) membrane was prepared by interfacial polymerization. The Ag-ZnO/PA-TFC membrane was characterized by attenuated total reflectance fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) for polyamide functional groups and contact angle for surface hydrophilicity. The Ag-ZnO/PA-TFC membrane was further characterized by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) for morphology and surface roughness, respectively. The performance of the fabricated membrane was investigated using pure water flux, permeability, rejection, flux recovery, and fouling resistance using low molecular weight organic pollutants, 2-chlorophenol (2-CP) and 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP). The results were compared to the neat (PA-TFC) membrane. It was observed that incorporation of Ag-ZnO nanocomposites into the PA-TFC membrane improved hydrophilicity, permeation, rejection, and fouling resistance properties of the membrane. The contact angle decreased from 62.8° to 54° for PA-TFC and the Ag-ZnO/PA-TFC membrane, respectively. The presence of Ag-ZnO enhanced permeability of the membrane from 0.9 (Lm−2h−1bar−1) to 1.9 (Lm−2h−1bar−1). Modification of the membrane with Ag-ZnO further showed an enhanced rejection of 2-CP and 2,4-DCP from 43% to 80% and 58% to 85%, respectively. The 2,4-DCP molecules were rejected more than 2-CP due to enhanced repulsive forces from the extra Cl ion. A high flux recovery of about 95% was achieved for the modified membrane compared to 64% for the neat membrane. The improved flux recovery was an indication of enhanced antifouling propensity.
Highlights
Chlorophenols are listed as priority pollutants (e.g., 2-CP and 2,4-DCP) because of their detrimental effects to water quality, aquatic life, animals, and humans
We report synthesis of Ag-Zinc oxide (ZnO) nanocomposites using precipitation and in situ chemical reduction to attach silver to ZnO
After cleaning the membranes flux recoveries improved from 61% (2-CP) and 64% (2,4-DCP) for neat polyamide thin film composite (PA-Thin film composite (TFC)) membranes to 93% (2-CP) and 95% (2,4-DCP) for modified Ag-ZnO/PA-TFC
Summary
Chlorophenols are listed as priority pollutants (e.g., 2-CP and 2,4-DCP) because of their detrimental effects to water quality, aquatic life, animals, and humans They disrupt the endocrine system and often lead to endocrine related illnesses [1]. They are usually introduced into water bodies from various sources such as waste from paper and pulp industries, pesticides from agricultural run-off, municipal waste water, and mining industry waste [2]. They occur at low concentrations and often survive even the state-of-the art water treatment processes and systems [3]. There is a need to develop effective water treatment methods for their reduction or elimination from water.
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