Evaluation of the formation and antifouling properties of a novel adsorptive homogeneous mixed matrix membrane with generated Zr-based nanoparticles.

generation is a powerful technique used to prepare homogenous adsorptive mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) containing functional nanoparticles, although the mechanism of formation of the membranes is not yet clear and there have been few published evaluations of membrane fouling. We therefore used this method to prepare a novel homogeneous adsorptive Zr-based nanoparticle-polyethersulfone (PES) MMM and systematically studied the mechanism of membrane formation at the atomic level. As the amount of ZrOCl·8HO in the casting solution increased, the phase inversion kinetics changed from instantaneous demixing due to the thermodynamic enhancement effect to a delayed demixing process caused by viscosity hindrance.

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.