Investigation of the Effect of TiO۲ NPs and PEG on the Performance of PAN Nanocomposite Ultrafiltration Membranes

In this study, the performance enhancement of polyacrylonitrile nanocomposite ultrafiltration membranes was investigated by incorporating nanoparticles and a pore-forming agent. Titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles were added to improve hydrophilicity and surface interactions, while polyethylene glycol (PEG) was employed to control pore size and distribution. These two components were introduced to the membranes both individually and in combination to assess their effects on membrane performance. The results demonstrated that both TiO₂ nanoparticles and PEG, when used separately, enhanced water flux and bovine serum albumin (BSA) protein rejection. However, their simultaneous incorporation led to a decrease in membrane performance, likely due to adverse competitive interactions during the phase inversion process. Among the modified membranes, the one containing ۰.۴% TiO₂ nanoparticles exhibited the highest water flux and protein rejection rates. These findings provide insights that could help optimize nanocomposite membranes for separation processes in the water and wastewater treatment industry.

کلیدواژه ها:

PAN Nanocomposite membranes ، Titanium dioxide ، Polyethylene glycol ، BSA separation