Synthesis of Antifouling Nanocomposite Ultrafiltration Membrane by Modified Halloysite Nanoparticles for Water Treatment

Antifouling properties of mixed matrix polysulfone (PSF) and modified Halloysite NanoTube (mHNT) nanoparticles ultrafiltration membrane were studied. The membranes were fabricated with different concentrations of mHNT and PSF by phase separation method. Pure water flux, protein removal, and fouling parameters for analysis of membrane performance were studied. The HNTs nanoparticles tructure was modified by TiO2 and its structure was determined by TEM and XRD. The membrane structure was studied using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The water flux of the nanocomposite membrane was improved significantly From 140 to above 350 L / m2.h at 5bar pressure with the improved hydrophilic property. The hydrophilic properties were confirmed by measuring the contact angle and the porosity. This improvement is due to functional groups in the hydrophilic property that can be attributed mHNT and TiO2 nanoparticles. The sedimentation of the membrane, resistance was investigated by the Bovine Serum Albumin‎ (BSA). The results of membranes with 0.5 and 1% loading of mHNT exhibited the best anti-fouling properties which is leading to 100% flux recovery. The results also show that the membranes with 0.5-1 wt% mHNT loading is the highest porosity and water flux.