Abstract
To overcome the high salinity water resources problem, reverse osmosis (RO) process is considered one of the most required techniques due to its high portable water quality produced. Optimization of membranes quality and function is still pursued and considered as of an important added value to the RO processes. In the present study, thin film PVA/CA+PEG membranes were prepared and the PVA layer was crosslinked by a varying maleic acid concentration at different reaction periods. The polymer composite is to be employed for the reverse osmosis process of brackish, saline and sea water purification. Optimization of reaction conditions and parameters such as salt rejection and water flux that affect on the membrane efficiency were verified. Structural and functional characterization of the PVA/CA composite membranes through Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), X-ray diffraction pattern, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), swelling behavior and membrane mechanical properties were monitored.
Highlights
Membrane and membrane processes were first introduced as an analytical tool in chemical and biomedical laboratories that developed very rapidly into industrial products and methods with significant technical and commercial importance for the separation of many inorganic and organic entities [1,2,3,4]
Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) is recognized by its high hydrophilic character, good film-forming properties and outstanding physical and chemical stability, it is considered as an excellent membrane material for preparation of hydrophilic UF and MF membranes [25]
When the characteristic –OH groups of the PVA interchained with the acyl groups of maleic acid, where the stretching vibration at 1647.5 cm-1 is shifted to 1601.3 cm-1 with the prevalence of the -OH groups and the aliphatic nature of the PVA and the –CO of the maleic acid in the regions of 1500-1800, 1200-1400cm-1 and 1100cm-1 where crosslinking effect is affecting peaks intensity and shifting of locations
Summary
Membrane and membrane processes were first introduced as an analytical tool in chemical and biomedical laboratories that developed very rapidly into industrial products and methods with significant technical and commercial importance for the separation of many inorganic and organic entities [1,2,3,4]. To enhance the membrane performance, a variety of membrane modification techniques are employed such as crosslinking, blending and grafting of several chemical agents to the original polymer matrix [19,20]. Among those chemical treatments of membranes, crosslinking has been used extensively to modify membranes physicochemical properties, such as crystallinity, hydrophobicity, and mechanical strength [22,23,24]. PVA is recognized by its high hydrophilic character, good film-forming properties and outstanding physical and chemical stability, it is considered as an excellent membrane material for preparation of hydrophilic UF and MF membranes [25]
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