Fabrication and optimization of superhydrophobic ZnO-SA/PVC/PVP nanocomposite membrane distillation for highly saline RO brine recovery

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

1 Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran

2 Innovation Center for Membrane Technology (ICMT), University of Sistan and Baluchestan, Zahedan, Iran

3 Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ardakan University, Ardakan, Iran

Abstract

The induced phase separation method was used to fabricate polyvinyl chloride (PVC) flat sheets for membrane distillation (MD) of RO brine feed by using dimethylformamide (DMF) and water as solvent and nonsolvent, respectively. Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanoparticles were utilized to improve the membrane structure and modify pore surfaces. The Taguchi experimental design approach was employed to investigate the impacts of concentrations of PVP and ZnO nanoparticles on the membrane's structural characteristics and performance. SEM, XRD, and FT-IR were used to characterize the surface and cross-sectional morphology, as well as the presence of crystalline phases and cross-linked organic groups, respectively. The water contact angle was measured to determine the wettability of the surface membrane and the impact of ZnO nanoparticles on its hydrophobicity. The membrane synthesis and MD process parameters were optimized for a Persian Gulf feed brine to obtain a maximum contact angle of 148°, under 80 °C and 12 L.min-1 circulating feed water, and resulted in high salt rejection (96.4%) and proper permeability water flux (4.2 L.m-2h-1).

Graphical Abstract

Fabrication and optimization of superhydrophobic ZnO-SA/PVC/PVP nanocomposite membrane distillation for highly saline RO brine recovery

Highlights

  • ZnO-SA nanoparticles were used to modify PVC/PVP composite membranes.
  • Taguchi method was used to determine the optimal conditions for preparing PVC/PVP membranes.
  • The super-hydrophobicity of one membrane was optimized.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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Journal of Particle Science and Technology
Volume 9, Issue 2
November 2023
Pages 103-113

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History

  • Receive Date: 14 January 2024
  • Revise Date: 08 February 2024
  • Accept Date: 09 February 2024

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