Abstract
Membrane surface modification with the aim of lowering foulant to surface affinity, has recently gained considerable attention. In this article, we report improved performance (permeate flux, salt rejection, and resistance to alginate fouling) of surface-modified reverse osmosis (RO) membranes, under cross-flow filtration conditions. The surface of RO membranes was modified by amphiphilic hydroxethyl methacrylate-co-perfluorodecyl acrylate (HEMA-co-PFDA) copolymer films. The amphiphilic coatings were deposited via an all-dry and solventless vapor deposition technique, termed as initiated chemical vapor deposition. Scanning electron microscopy revealed that a dense and continuous layer of alginate formed on the surface of the unmodified membranes, whereas foulant deposition on the surface-modified membranes was found to be more sporadic and discontinuous. The coatings were found stable even after 6 h of exposure to sodium alginate at higher pressure (800 psi), as evidenced by ATR-FTIR analysis of the post-fouled membranes.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
