Modification of Polysulfone Membrane Using Basil Seed Gum Nanoparticles for Removal of Methylene Blue from Wastewater

Novel polysulfone (PSf)-based nanocomposite membranes with different contents of Basil seed gum (BSG) nanoparticles were prepared using vapor-induced phase separation (VIPS) method. Planetary ball mill was used for preparation of BSG nanoparticles with diameters ranging between 30-50 nm (average: 42 nm). The prepared PSf nanocomposite membranes were characterized using SEM imaging and FTIR spectroscopy and evaluation of different properties of membranes including hydrophilicity, water content, mechanical properties, overall porosity, mean pore size, pure water flux and methylene blue (MB) rejection. Using BSG nanoparticles, hydrophilicity, pure water flux, Young’s modulus and MB rejection of PSf membrane were significantly enhanced. Using optimum content of nanoparticles, i.e. 3 wt.%, the maximum increase in pure water flux of membrane by 5933% from 0.6 to 36.2 L/(m2.h) was observed. The maximum MB rejection (99%) was measured for PSf membrane containing 5 wt.% nanoparticles.