Small but Mighty Incorporating Fe۳O۴ Nanoparticles into PES Membranes for Enhanced Water Treatment Efficiency

This study focused on developing a new membrane-type by incorporating magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe۳O۴) into a polyethersulfone (PES) matrix to create a Fe۳O۴/PES membrane. The synthesized membrane was characterized using various techniques, including SEM, Map, ۳D images, TEM, XRD, and FTIR, to determine its structure and properties. The membrane's performance was evaluated by examining parameters such as water contact angle, membrane pore size and porosity, water content, Pure water flux (PWF), and salt rejection. The results showed that the Fe۳O۴/PES membrane outperformed the pure PES membrane regarding water flux and salt rejection. The membrane with a Fe۳O۴ concentration of ۰.۰۱wt.% had the highest flux value of ۱۶.۳۵ (L/m۲h), while the virgin membrane's flux value was only ۲.۸۱ (L/m۲h). Furthermore, the salt rejection of the modified membrane increased from ۶۰% to ۹۰% compared to the pure PES membrane.  It was observed that the Fe۳O۴ nanoparticles, which had a positive charge of ۳-۷ nm, tended to agglomerate and increase in size when the Fe۳O۴ concentration was increased, leading to a negative surface charge. By using fewer Fe۳O۴ nanoparticles, the Fe۳O۴/PES membrane achieved similar performance as other research, making it a more cost-effective option.

کلیدواژه ها:

Magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles ، polyethersulfone (PES) matrix ، Fe۳O۴/PES membrane ، Membrane characterization ، Surface charg ، e Cost-effective option