Evaluation of membrane tailored with biocompatible halloysite‒polyaniline nanomaterial for efficient removal of carcinogenic disinfection by‒products precursor from water

Abstract

Humic acid (HA) is the main component of natural organic matter that generates carcinogenic by‒products during disinfection and its removal from water resources is challenging. Biocompatible halloysite (HNTs) nanomaterial decorated with polyaniline (HNTs‒PANI) was synthesized via polymerization technique. HNTs‒PANI was added to prepare polyethersulfone mixed matrix membranes (MMMs). The influence of HNTs‒PANI concentration on HA removal efficiency was studied by varying the HNTs‒PANI (0.5, 1 and 1.5 wt%). The characterization studies of MMMs revealed that the addition of HNTs‒PANI improved the morphology of the membranes, surface properties, chemical stability and thermal property. The amine and hydroxyl groups within the MMMs improved the membrane wettability. The addition of HNTs‒PANI within the MMMs had significantly enhanced the pure water flux and HA filtration. YHP2 MMM with 1 wt% of HNTs‒PANI demonstrated sieving coefficient of 0.10 and the highest HA removal efficiency of 91% greater than the neat PES membrane. Furthermore, the antifouling property of the MMMs was studied using HA as foulant. 1 wt% of HNTs‒PANI added MMM showed a high flux recovery ratio (94.9%) with low total fouling of 12% and low irreversible fouling of 5%, respectively. Thus, HNTs‒PANI was an efficient nanomaterial for enhancing the pure water flux, removal efficiency and antifouling property to treat water contaminated with HA.