Development of synthesized Y-based nanoparticle/polyethersulfone adsorptive membranes by adjusting the composition of the coagulation bath for enhanced removal of fluoride.

The effects of the composition of the coagulation bath (NaOH solution) on the preparation of generated Y-based nanoparticles (NPs)/polyethersulfone (PES) composite adsorptive membranes were investigated in terms of membrane structure, composition, surface hydrophilicity, water permeability, phase inversion and adsorption performance for defluoridation for the first time. The changes of NaOH concentration in the coagulation bath altered the membrane structure, which was believed to be associated with the change of the phase inversion kinetics in membrane formation process. With the increase in NaOH concentration of the coagulation bath, the demixing way changed from an instantaneous demixing to a delayed demixing process, which led to the suppression of the formation of macro-voids and the generation of more sponger-like structures.