Abstract
In designing a photocatalytic oxidation system, the immobilized photocatalyst technique becomes highly profitable due to its promising capability in treating organic pollutants such as phenols in wastewater. In this study, hydrophilic surface modifying macromolecules (LSMM) modified polyethersulfone (PES) hybrid photocatalytic membranes incorporated with oxygenated graphitic carbon nitride (OGCN) was successfully developed using phase inversion technique. The effectiveness of the hybrid photocatalytic membrane was determined under different loading of OGCN photocatalyst (0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 wt%). The best amount of OGCN in the casting solution was 1.0 wt% as the agglomeration did not occur considering the stability of the membrane performance and morphology. The highest flux of 264 L/m2·h was achieved by PES/LSMM-OGCN1.5wt% membrane. However, the highest flux performance was not an advantage in this situation as the flux reduced the rejection value due to open pores. The membrane with the highest photocatalytic performance was obtained at 1.0 wt% of OGCN loading with 35.78% phenol degradation after 6 h. Regardless of the lower rejection value, the performance shown by the PES/LSMM-OGCN1.0wt% membrane was still competent because of the small difference of less than 1% to that of the PES/LSMM-OGCN0wt% membrane. Based on the findings, it can be concluded that the optimisation of the OGCN loading in the PES hybrid photocatalytic membrane indeed plays an important role towards enhancing the catalyst distribution, phenol degradation, and acceptable rejection above all considerations.
Highlights
There are several established processes that have been applied for wastewater treatment biologically, physically, or chemically [1]
The synthesised Oxygenated Graphitic Carbon Nitride (OGCN) was characterised via FTIR and OCHNS analyses to confirm that it was
The synthesised OGCN was characterised via FTIR and OCHNS analyses to confirm that it was successfully oxygenated
Summary
There are several established processes that have been applied for wastewater treatment biologically, physically, or chemically [1]. Following the water treatment issue, the membrane separation technology has become one of the trusted methods in removing contaminants for many years and its capability is slowly taking over the tasks of using conventional chemical and biological wastewater treatments. Membrane technology is a flexible separation method and can be designed as per the needs of industry. The capability of membrane separation used in the treatment of wastewater containing organic pollutant cannot be denied. Enhancing the capability of the polymeric membrane in wastewater treatment for an organic pollutant is one of the latest technologies deeply discussed by researchers
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