Preparation and Characterization of PA66/Alumina Composite Membrane

Dionisio Da Silva Biron,Venina Dos Santos,Jocelei Duarte,Carlos Pérez Bergmann,Patrícia Poletto,Mára Zeni

doi:10.1590/1516-1439.004715

Dionisio Da Silva Biron, Venina Dos Santos + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/1516-1439.004715

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Abstract

In this study, polymer/ceramic composite membranes were prepared and characterized. The polymer used was polyamide 66 (PA66) deposited by dip coating on the inner surface of α-alumina-based (Al2O3) microporous tube. A coating on the ceramic support surface and the formation of the selective layer was analyzed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) in membranes with one (PA-1) and two layers (PA-2). The results of mercury porosimetry showed that the deposition of the polyamide layers decreases the average pore size. The PA-1 presented an average pore size of 0.35 μm, while the PA-2 presented two peaks of 0.18 and 0.56 μm. Both showed a superior performance than the ceramic support (pore diameter of 0.65 μm). Although, the permeate flux was higher with an impregnation membrane, the number of layers (one or two) just introduced a slight difference in pore statistical analysis. The order of rejection coefficient values for protein molecules is BSA > egg albumin > trypsin. The permeation tests showed that the composite membrane can be applied in ultrafiltration processes with MWCO of 69 kDa.

Highlights

The preparation of novel organic-inorganic composite membranes with controlled properties had been a point of considerable interest over the last decade[1]
PA-2 membrane showed a pore diameter between 0.18-0.56 μm, Figure 3c
The decrease in the diameter pore of the PA-1 and PA-2 in relation to that of ceramic support confirms effective interaction occurs between the substrate and the polymer producing a selective membrane for separating the solute lower molecular weights, the results are shown as permeation experiments

Summary

Introduction

The preparation of novel organic-inorganic composite membranes with controlled properties had been a point of considerable interest over the last decade[1]. In many studies[3,4], composite membranes were made from the blend of organic and inorganic materials for different applications. The preparation of these new membranes has shown improved permeability and selectivity characteristics. Another way of combination of organic and inorganic materials was composite membranes prepared with a thin polymer layer on a ceramic support. Such membranes have flux and the desired selectivity in addition to good mechanical stability[5]

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