Cuprous oxide (Cu2O) nanoparticles in nanofiltration membrane with enhanced separation performance and anti-fouling properties

Abdolreza Moghadassi,Shakiba Ghohyei,Samaneh Bandehali,Morteza Habibi,Maryam Eskandari 한국화학공학회 2023 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.40 No.3

Cuprous oxide nanoparticles (Cu2O) were synthesized by electrochemical method and as an add-on toconstruct polyethersulfone (PES) nanofiltration (NF) membranes. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM),3D surface images, X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy were utilizedto indicate membranes and nanoparticles. Membranes were evaluated by tests of water content, porosity, contact angle,salt rejection, water flux and average pore size measurements. The results show the enhancement of surface hydrophilicityby the addition of Cu2O nanoparticles. The highest unalloyed water flux was obtained by membrane, including0.05 wt% Cu2O nanoparticles, and the highest rejection was revealed by a membrane containing 2 wt% Cu2Onanoparticles. The Na2SO4 rejection reached 66.94%, which was significantly higher than the bare PES membrane. Thisperformance may be owing to increased Na2SO4 adsorption sites. The heavy metals rejection of CrSO4, Pb(NO3)2, andCu (NO3)2 increased 79.38%, 85.08%, and 81% for the M5 membrane, respectively, while it was 45%, 46%, and 49% forbare membrane, respectively. Furthermore, the flux of unalloyed water increased from 9.78 L/m2·h on the pure PESmembrane to 36.78 L/m2·h on the M1 membrane. The decrease of surface roughness and also the increase of hydrophilicgroups improved the antifouling properties of the membranes.

Fabrication of antifouling mixed matrix NF membranes by embedding sodium citrate surfactant modified-iron oxide nanoparticles

Abdolreza Moghadassi,Sara Moradi,Samaneh Bandehali 한국화학공학회 2020 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.37 No.11

PES-based nanofiltration membranes were prepared by phase inversion method. Fe3O4 nanoparticles with a constant concentration and sodium citrate in different concentration were incorporated into the PES. The membranes were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), EDX dot mapping and Atomic force microscope (AFM) analysis. Physico-chemical, antifouling properties, and separation performance of the fabricated membranes were investigated by the contact angle, pure water flux (PWF), Na2SO4 rejection and flux recovery ratio (FRR%). The membrane porosity and mean pore size enhanced for the modified membranes compared the bare membrane. The PWF sharply improved from 16 L/m2h in the bare membrane to 47 L/m2h at 0.5 wt% Fe3O4 and 0.3 wt% sodium citrate (M5). The highest salt rejection obtained was 68%, while it was 61% for the bare membrane. Better dispersion of Fe3O4 nanoparticles into the casting solution with outstanding antifouling properties was observed.

Preparation of mixed matrix PES-based nanofiltration membrane filled with PANI-co-MWCNT composite nanoparticles

Abdolreza Moghadassi,Ehsan Bagheripour,Sayed Mohsen Hosseini 한국화학공학회 2016 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.33 No.4

Mixed matrix polyethersulfone/PANI-co-MWCNTs composite nanoparticle nanofiltration membrane was prepared by casting solution technique. Polyvinylpyrrolidone was also used as membrane pore former in membrane fabrication. The effect of polyaniline-co-multi walled carbon nanotubes composite nanoparticle concentration in the casting solution on membrane structure and performance was investigated. Scanning optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy, FTIR analysis, porosity, mean pore size, contact angle, water content, NaCl/Na2SO4 rejection, water flux, tensile strength measurements and 3D surface image were also carried out in membrane characterization. SOM images showed nanoparticle agglomeration at high additive loading ratio. SEM images showed the membrane sub-layer porosity and thickness were changed by use of nanoparticles in membrane matrix. The membrane water content, porosity and pore size were increased by increase of nanoparticle concentration, except for 1%wt. Use of PANI-co- MWCNT nanoparticles in the membrane matrix caused a decrease of membrane contact angle from 63.43 to 46.76o. Salt rejection and water flux were improved initially by increase of nanoparticle concentration up to 0.1%wt and then decreased by more additive concentration. In addition, the membranes tensile strength was reduced by increase of PANI-co-MWCNTs composite nanoparticle concentration. 3D surface images showed a smoother surface for mixed matrix membrane filled with 0.1wt% PANI-co-MWCNTs. Modified membrane containing 0.1wt% composite nanoparticles showed better performance compared to others.

Glycidyl POSS-functionalized ZnO nanoparticles incorporated polyether-imide based nanofiltration membranes for heavy metal ions removal from water

Samaneh Bandehali,Abdolreza Moghadassi,Fahime Parvizian,Jiangnan Shen,Sayed Mohsen Hosseini 한국화학공학회 2020 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.37 No.2

Surface functionalization of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles was performed by glycidyl POSS. The synthesized nanoparticles were applied to prepare polyether-imide based-nanofiltration membranes by phase inversion method. The characterizations were done by FESEM, EDX and AFM analysis. The effect of different concentrations of POSS-ZnO (PZ) nanoparticles was investigated to evaluate the separation performance of prepared membranes by contact angle measurement, pure water flux (PWF), rejection of aqueous solutions including Na2SO4, Pb(NO3)2, Cu(NO3)2 and flux recovery ratio (FRR%). The prepared PEI/PZ membranes showed significant separation performance and antifouling properties compared with neat PEI and PEI/ZnO membranes. The highest pure water flux (42.4 L/m2h) was revealed for M1-PZ in 0.001 wt% of PZ nanoparticles, whereas that was 17 (L/m2h) for neat membrane and 12-18 (L/m2h) for PEI/ZnO, respectively. Also, salt rejection was low for blended PEI/ZnO membranes. By incorporation of PZ into the PEI, Na2SO4, and Pb (NO3)2 rejection improved to 83% and 59%, respectively. Moreover, the M3-PZ showed the best separation performance for Cu (NO3)2 with the rejection of 67%. The highest antifouling properties were obtained for M4-PZ with FRR% of 59%, which is significant compared with 15% for PEI/ZnO and 30% for neat PEI membranes.

A new type of [PEI-glycidyl POSS] nanofiltration membrane with enhanced separation and antifouling performance

Samaneh Bandehali,Abdolreza Moghadassi,Fahime Parvizian,Sayed Mohsen Hosseini 한국화학공학회 2019 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.36 No.10

A new type of polyether-imide (PEI)-based nanofiltration membranes was prepared by introducing octaglycidyloxypropyl- silsesquioxane (Glycidyl POSS) into PEI matrix for heavy metals ions removal from water. The separation performance of fabricated membranes in Na2SO4, Pb(NO3)2, Ni(NO3)2 and Cu(NO3)2 removal from water as well as their flux and antifouling property was evaluated. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analytical method, atomic force microscope (AFM), porosity, contact angle, and water content were also used in membrane characterization. The results indicated higher hydrophilicity, pure water flux (PWF) and salt rejection for PEI-POSS membranes compared to neat PEI ones. The morphological images showed good tuning porosity, finger- and spongy-like structure. The highest porosity observed for [PEI-1 wt% glycidyl POSS] with the best antifouling property. The surface roughness also decreased by incorporating of POSS into PEI matrix. The pure water flux increased from 14.3 (L/m2h) for neat PEI membrane to 36 (L/m2h) for [PEI-0.1 wt% glycidyl POSS]. Moreover, Na2SO4, Pb(NO3)2, Cu(NO3)2 and Ni(NO3)2 rejection measured 78%, 94%, 99%, 42% for [PEI-1 wt% glycidyl POSS] membrane, whereas they were 69%, 44%, 40% and 16% for the virgin PEI membrane, respectively. Results showed a good potential for [PEI-POSS] membrane in Cu and Pb ions removal beside its high PWF and antifouling ability.

A new approach to tailoring the separation characteristics of polyethersulfone nanofiltration membranes by 8-hydroxyquinoline functionalized Fe3O4 nanoparticles

Saeed Ansari,Abdolreza Moghadassi,Sayed Mohsen Hosseini 한국화학공학회 2020 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.37 No.11

8-Hydroxyquinoline (8-HQ) was used for modification of Fe3O4 nanoparticles (NPs) and preparation of polyethersulfone (PES)-based mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) by phase inversion process. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM). The effect of different concentrations of 8- HQ/Fe3O4 NPs into the PES as membrane matrix was investigated by FESEM and atomic force microscopy (AFM). The performance of prepared membranes was evaluated by the water contact angle, pure water flux (PWF), porosity, means pore size, and salt rejection. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) solution was used to investigate the antifouling properties of fabricated membranes. The results showed a decreasing water contact angle from 68.1o for the pristine membrane to 38.3o for M5 at 0.5 wt% 8-HQ/Fe3O4 NPs. The PWF enhanced for all mixed matrix membranes compared with the pristine membrane. The highest PWF (21.5 L/m2h) was measured for M4 at 0.2wt% NPs, Wwhile it was 7.1 L/m2h for pristine membrane. Salt rejection improved from 58.55% in M1 (pristine membrane) to 96% in M4 (at 0.2 wt% of 8-HQ/Fe3O4 NPs). Also, the modified membranes showed suitable antifouling property.

Fabrication of novel polyethersulfone based nanofiltration membrane by embedding polyaniline-co-graphene oxide nanoplates

Mojtaba Moochani,Abdolreza Moghadassi,Sayed Mohsen Hosseini,Ehsan Bagheripour,Fahime Parvizian 한국화학공학회 2016 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.33 No.9

Mixed matrix polyethersulfone (PES) based nanofiltration membrane was prepared through phase inversion method by using of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as pore former and N, N dimethylacetamide (DMAc) as solvent. Polyaniline-co-graphene oxide nanoplates (PANI/GO) were utilized as additive in membrane fabrication. The PANI/ GO nanoplates were prepared by polymerization of aniline in the presence of graphene oxide nanoplates. FTIR analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), scanning optical microscopy (SOM), 3D images surface analysis, water contact angle, water content tests, tensile strength tests, porosity tests, salt rejection and flux tests were used in membrane characterization. FT-IR results verified formation of PANI on graphene oxide nanoplates. SOM images showed uniform particles distribution for the mixed matrix membranes. SEM images also showed formation of wide pores for the modified membranes. Water flux showed constant trend nearly by use of PANI/GO in the casting solution. Opposite trend was found for the membrane surface hydrophilicity. Salt rejection was enhanced sharply by utilizing of PANI/ GO. The membrane’s tensile strength was improved by increase of PANI/GO concentration. The water content was increased initially by use of PANI/GO nanoplates up to 0.05%wt into the casting solution and then decreased. Membrane porosity was also enhanced by using of PANI/GO nanoplates. Modified membrane containing 0.5%wt PANI/ GO nanoplates showed more appropriate antifouling characteristic compared to others.

Preparation and characterization of a novel high-flux emulsion polyvinyl chloride (EPVC) ultrafiltration membrane incorporated with boehmite nanoparticles

Marzie Farjami,Abdolreza Moghadassi,Vahid Vatanpour,Sayed Mohsen Hosseini,Fahime Parvizian 한국공업화학회 2019 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.72 No.-

A novel high-flux emulsion polyvinyl chloride (EPVC) ultrafiltration membrane incorporated withdifferent concentrations of boehmite nanoparticles was prepared. The modified EPVC membranesdemonstrated enhanced hydrophilicity property and higher pure waterflux and lower water contactangle because of the presence of hydrophilic boehmite in membrane matrix. The results showed thatwaterflux was enhanced from 422.6 L m 2 h 1 for neat membrane to 7014 L m 2 h 1 for 0.75 wt.%boehmite incorporated membrane at 2 bar. In addition, BSAflux growth of the optimum nanocompositemembrane in comparison with the neat one was 37.2%. BSA rejection for all nanocomposite membraneswas above 98%.

Improvement in separation performance of PEI-based nanofiltration membranes by using L-cysteine functionalized POSS-TiO2 composite nanoparticles for removal of heavy metal ion

Samaneh Bandehali,Fahime Parvizian,Abdolreza Moghadassi,Jiangnan Shen,Sayed Mohsen Hosseini 한국화학공학회 2020 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.37 No.9

L-cysteine as an amino acid was used for the modification of glycidyl POSS in the synthesis of L-cysteine functionalized POSS, including carboxyl, hydroxyl, and diamine groups. Then, the synthesized nanoparticles were applied to fabrication of L-cysteine POSS-TiO2 composite nanoparticles. NF membranes were prepared from the incorporation of different concentrations of the synthesized composite nanoparticles into the polyether-imide (PEI) as the membrane matrix. The prepared membranes were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and atomic force microscope (AFM). Moreover, the separation performance of the NF membranes was examined by pure water flux (PWF) and the separation of Na2SO4, Pb(NO3)2, Cr(NO3)2 and Cu(NO3)2 aqueous solutions. The results showed the increase of pure water flux due to present hydrophilic groups on the membrane surface. The highest pure water flux obtained was 22.03 L/m2 h in 1 wt% of nanoparticles. Furthermore, the rejection of Na2SO4 and Pb(NO3)2, CrSO4, and Cu(NO3)2 improved to 78%, 64%, 67% and 66% that increased 11%, 33%, and 22%, and 39% compared with the pristine PEI membrane, respectively. Finally, the best FRR% (81%) was obtained for 0.1 wt% of the composite nanoparticles (M3).

Electrochemical characterization of mixed matrix heterogeneous cation exchange membranes modified by simultaneous using ilmenite-co-iron oxide nanoparticles

Sayed Mohsen Hosseini,Alireza Hamidi,Abdolreza Moghadassi,Sayed Siavash Madaeni 한국화학공학회 2015 Korean Journal of Chemical Engineering Vol.32 No.3

Mixed matrix heterogeneous cation exchange membranes were prepared by solution casting technique. Ilmenite-co-iron oxide nanoparticle was also employed as inorganic filler additive in membrane fabrication. The effectof the used additives on membrane electrochemical properties was studied. Membrane ion exchange capacity, membranepotential, transport number and selectivity all were improved by use of FeTiO3/Fe3O4 nanoparticles in membranematrix. Utilizing FeTiO3-co-Fe3O4 nanoparticles in the casting solution also led to increase in ionic flux obviously. The modified membranes containing FeTiO3-co-Fe3O4 nanoparticles showed higher transport number, selectivity andionic flux compared to modified membrane containing ilmenite. Electrodialysis experiment in laboratory scale alsoshowed higher cation removal for modified membrane containing FeTiO3-co-Fe3O4 nanoparticles compared to othermodified membranes and pristine ones. Results showed that membrane areal electrical resistance declined sharply byuse of FeTiO3-co-Fe3O4 nanoparticles in membrane matrix. Moreover, modified membrane containing ilmenite showedlower electrical resistance compared to others. Results showed that oxidative stability of membranes was decreasedslightly by use of FeTiO3/Fe3O4 nanoparticles in membrane matrix. The results revealed that modified membranes inthis study are comparable with that of other commercial ones.