Abstract
Fouling as an intricate process is considered as the main obstacle in membrane technologies, and its control is one of the main areas of attention in membrane processes. In this study, a commercial polyethersulfone ultrafiltration membrane (MWCO: 4000 g/mol) was surface modified with different concentrations of vanillin as an antifouling and hydrophilicity promoter to improve its performance. The presence of vanillin and its increasing adsorption potential trends in higher vanillin concentrations were clearly confirmed by observable changes in FTIR (Fourier transform infrared) spectra after modification. Membranes with better hydrophilicity (almost 30% lower contact angle in the best case) and higher polyethylene glycol solution (PEG) permeability were achieved after modification, where a 35–38% increase in permeability of aqueous solution of PEG was perceived when the membrane was modified at the highest exposure concentration of vanillin (2.8 g/L). After filtration of wood extract, surface modified membrane (2.8 g/L vanillin) showed better antifouling characteristics compared to unmodified membrane, as indicated by approximately 22% lower pure water flux reduction, which in turn improved the separation of lignin from the other organic compounds present in wood extract.
Highlights
One of the most substantial polymeric materials which is extensively exploited in the field of membrane separation technology is polyethersulfone (PES)
These peaks relate to the presence of a preservative agent [21,22], which is consistent with the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectrum of glycerol obtained in earlier studies [23,24,25]
Reduction in surface charge of the membrane amplifies the flux reduction of polyethylene glycol solution (PEG) solution, as a result of reduction in repulsive forces between ether groups in PEG and surface of the membrane. These results suggest that there is an association for tested vanillin concentrations up to 2.3 g/L, between improvement of permeability and the enhancement of hydrophilicity, caused by physical surface modification of the UH004 P membrane with vanillin
Summary
One of the most substantial polymeric materials which is extensively exploited in the field of membrane separation technology is polyethersulfone (PES). PES is applied as the main base material for membranes in several membrane separation processes like haemodialysis, purification, extraction and concentration [2]. Despite its many attractive properties, one of the key problems to the widespread use of PES membranes is the proneness to fouling because of its low hydrophilicity [3]. Several studies have reported severe fouling tendency of PES-based membrane in the treatment of process waters from the pulp and paper industry, and the biorefinery streams [4,5]. The development of structures and advanced materials in order to decrease the impact of fouling and biocompatibility have been in focus in recent research in the field of membrane technology
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