Exploration of shockwaves on polymeric membranephysical properties and performance

Abstract

The Commercial polymeric membranes like Polysulfone (PSF), Polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) and Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) which are an integral part of water purification investigation were chosen for the shockwave (SW) exposure experiment. These membranes were prepared by blending polymer (wt. %) / DMF (solvent) followed by phaseinversion casting technique. Shockwaves are generated by using Reddy Tube lab module (Table-top Shocktube) with range of pressure (1.5, 2.5 and 5 bar). Understanding the changes in membrane before and after shock wave treatment by parameters, i.e., pure water flux (PWF), rejection (%), porosity, surface roughness (AFM), morphology (SEM) and contact angle which can significantly affect the membrane's performance. Flux values PSf membranes shows increase, 465 (pristine) to 524 (1.5wt%) LMH at 50 Psi pressure and similar enhancement was observed at 100Psi (625 to 696 LMH). Porosity also shows improvement from 73.6% to 76.84% for 15wt% PSf membranes. It was observed that membranes made of polymers such as PAN and PSF (of high w/w %) exhibits some resistance against shockwaves impact and are stable compared to other membranes. Shockwave pressure of up to 1.5 bar was sufficient enough to change properties which are crucial for performance. Membranes exposed to a maximum pressure of 5 bar completely scratched the surface and with minimum pressure of 1.5bar is optimum enough to improve the water flux and other parameters. Initial results proved that SW may be suitable alternative route to minimize/control membrane fouling and improve efficiency.