Elevating the Wastewater Treatment Performance of Loose Nano-filtration Membranes using Natural Clay Functionalized with AlFe2O4 Nanocleaner
Abstract
Membranes with right recipe can potentially give exceptionally high product water flux with high rejection, recovery ratio, prolonged life with anti-fouling capabilities, low operating costs, and low operating expenses. In this regard, an innovative AlFe2O4 functionalized bentonite (AlFe2O4@BT) was prepared to be used as performance boosting agent in Polyethersulfone (PES)-based mixed matrix loose nanofiltration membrane (LNM). Herein, the fabrication PES-based mixed achieved by blending different wt.% of AlFe2O4@BT material through phase inversion technology. The effects of AlFe2O4@BT on the structure and functionality of the new material AlFe2O4 @BT-PES NLMs were thoroughly examined by scanning electron microscopy, contact angle, antifouling measurements and so on. The Separation efficiency of AlFe2O4@BT-PES based LNM was recorded up to 80%, 85% and 95% of Crystal violet (CV), Congo Red (CR), and humic acid, respectively with exceptional high product flux efficiencies and anti-fouling properties to commercial polyamide membranes. The new LMMs operate at relatively low operating pressure (1-4 bar) which makes them sustainable separation process with lower flux decline ratio and high recovery ratio making it superior membrane material combination.