Abstract
Nanomaterials can be incorporated in the synthesis of membrane to obtain mixed-matrix membrane with marked improvement in properties and performance. However, stability and dispersion of the nanomaterials in the membrane matrix, as well as the need to use high ratio of nanomaterials for obvious improvement of membrane properties, remain a major hurdle for commercialization. Hence, this study aims to investigate the improvement of polyamide 6,6 membrane properties with the incorporation of silver nanoparticles decorated on graphene oxide (Ag-GO) nanoplates and at the same time focus is given to the issues above. Graphene oxide nanoplates were synthesized using the modified Hummers’ method and decorated with silver before embedded into the polyamide 6,6 matrix. Physicochemical characterizations were conducted on both nanoplates and the mixed-matrix Ag-GO polyamide 6,6 membrane. The issues of Ag agglomeration and leaching were not observed, which could be attributed to the decoration of Ag on GO that helped to disperse the nanomaterials and provided a better anchor point for the attachment of Ag nanoparticles. The synthesized membrane showed marked improvement regarding flux (135% increment) and antifouling (40% lower irreversible fouling), which could be ascribed to the more negative charge of membrane surface (−14 ± 6 to −31 ± 3.8 mV) and hydrophilicity (46% enhancement) of the membranes. With minimal embedment of Ag nanoparticles, the membrane showed superior antibacterial property where the E. coli bacteria could not form a single colony on the membrane surface. Overall, the decoration of Ag on GO nanoplates could be a promising approach to resolve the agglomeration and leaching issues as well as reduce the amount of precious Ag in the synthesis of Ag-GO polyamide 6,6 membrane.
Highlights
Nanomaterials can be incorporated in the synthesis of membrane to obtain mixed-matrix membrane with marked improvement in properties and performance
This study has shown that the decoration of Ag onto graphene oxide (GO) nanoplates prevented the agglomeration of Ag especially when embedded into the membrane matrix
Membranes embedded with Ag-GO possessed better hydrophilicity (46% enhancement) and stronger negative surface charge (−14 ± 6 to −31 ± 3.8) as compared to pristine membrane
Summary
Nanomaterials can be incorporated in the synthesis of membrane to obtain mixed-matrix membrane with marked improvement in properties and performance. In order to minimize the impact of fouling, several approaches such as the design of membrane module[16], operational parameters[17] and membrane modification[18] have been actively engaged by the researchers Among these approaches, modification of the membrane materials and composition by incorporating nanomaterials to produce nanocomposite membrane appears to be a promising way to enhance the antifouling properties of the membrane (flux, hydrophilicity, and rejection)[19,20,21]. Agglomeration of nanomaterials in the membrane matrix is a big issue where it would lead to undesirable changes in membrane properties, such as weakening membrane mechanical strength and lower water flux[22,23] Leaching is another concern for the application of nanocomposite membrane[24]. It has been reported that nanomaterials have high tendency to leach out from the membrane matrix, rendering the enhancements of membrane properties futile[25]
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