Modification and ionic stimulation of hollow fiber membrane by electric field for water treatment

Abstract

AbstractHollow fiber membrane (HF) is considered one of the prevalent materials for water treatment; its effectiveness is controlled by permeation and mechanical characteristics. In this study, HF membrane surface was stimulated using electrochemical technique, where binary system of stainless steel cylinder and graphite rod electrodes was used into electrolytic solution of sodium acetate 0.1 M as electrolyte. Two pH of acidic medium (pH = 3.5) and alkaline medium (pH = 8.5) were prepared and different potential between 2 and 10 V were applied. EDX analysis of HF membrane surface revealed the formation of sodium ions on the surface of HF membrane with maximum content of Na+ ions 1.84%. Also, HF membrane surface showed variation of roughness (R a) as, HF membrane surface may undergo distortion by using aggressive conditions of high electric potential (7.5–10 V), The measured raw HF membrane (R a) was 34.8 nm, while, after electrochemical modification in alkaline medium R a showed higher values 36, 37, and 41 nm using 2, 2.5, and 5 V, respectively. While, after electrochemical modification in acidic medium (R a) showed 35, 39, 42, 49, 52 nm for 2, 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10 V, respectively. Moreover, tensile strength Young's modulus, break stress and break strain were measured after electrochemical modification in both acidic and alkaline mediums and maximum porosity value 76.84% was observed after 30 min in acidic medium.