Permeability and Antifouling Augmentation of a Hybrid PVDF-PEG Membrane Using Nano-Magnesium Oxide as a Powerful Mediator for POME Decolorization.

Mohammed Abdulsalam,Aida Isma M.I,Khairul Faezah Yunos,Zurina Zainal Abidin,Pei Sean Goh,Ahmad Fauzi Ismail,Hasfalina Che Man,Aida Isma M I

doi:10.3390/polym12030549

Mohammed Abdulsalam, Aida Isma M.I + Show 6 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/polym12030549

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Abstract

This study focused on developing a hydrophilic hybrid polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)-polyethylene glycol (PEG) hollow membrane by incorporating Nano-magnesium oxide (NMO) as a potent antifouling mediator. The Nano-hybrid hollow fibers with varied loading of NMO (0 g; 0.25 g; 0.50 g; 0.75 g and 1.25 g) were spun through phase inversion technique. The resultants Nano-hybrid fibers were characterized and compared based on SEM, EDX, contact angle, surface zeta-potential, permeability flux, fouling resistance and color rejection from palm oil mill effluent (POME). Noticeably, the permeability flux, fouling resistance and color rejection improved with the increase in NMO loading. PVDF-PEG with 0.50 g-NMO loading displayed an outstanding performance with 198.35 L/m2·h, 61.33 L/m2·h and 74.65% of water flux, POME flux and color rejection from POME, respectively. More so, a remarkable fouling resistance were obtained such that the flux recovery, reversible fouling percentage and irreversible fouling percentage remains relatively steady at 90.98%, 61.39% and 7.68%, respectively, even after 3 cycles of continuous filtrations for a total period of 9 h. However, at excess loading of 0.75 and 1.25 g-NMO, deterioration in the flux and fouling resistance was observed. This was due to the agglomeration of nanoparticles within the matrix structure at the excessive loading.

Highlights

Owing to the exceptional physical, mechanical and chemical stability of polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) polymer, its applications for bio-system/tissue engineering [1], pervaporation [2,3] and separation technology [4,5] have gained a considerable attentions
The aforementioned separation process using polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) polymeric membrane have been applied on several wastewater, such as palm oil mill effluent [9], dye wastewater generated from textile industry [10], saline-water [11] and endocrine compounds [12]
Hybrid PVDF-polyethylene glycol (PEG) hollow fibers blended with NMO at various loading of 0–1.25 g were fabricated using phase inversion technique

Summary

Introduction

Owing to the exceptional physical, mechanical and chemical stability of polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF) polymer, its applications for bio-system/tissue engineering [1], pervaporation [2,3] and separation technology [4,5] have gained a considerable attentions. As a result of this flexibility, PVDF polymer is suitable for fabricating polymeric membrane [6]. It has likewise been noted that PVDF membrane requires a relatively low pressure and minimal energy demand during filtration. This feature is most desirable for the microfiltration and ultrafiltration separation processes [8]. The aforementioned separation process using PVDF polymeric membrane have been applied on several wastewater, such as palm oil mill effluent [9], dye wastewater generated from textile industry [10], saline-water [11] and endocrine compounds [12]. Some drawbacks were reported which include continuous diminishing in permeation, low rejection as well as fouling [13]

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