Effect of surface pattern formation on membrane fouling and its control in phase inversion process

• Published in: Journal of membrane science Vol. 446; pp. 326 - 331
• Main Authors: Jamshidi Gohari, R., Lau, W.J., Matsuura, T., Ismail, A.F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.11.2013; Elsevier
• Subjects: artificial membranes; bovine serum albumin; Chemistry; Colloidal state and disperse state; Control surfaces; Exact sciences and technology; Flow direction; Fouling; Fouling mitigation; General and physical chemistry; hydrophilicity; Membranes; Mixed matrix membrane; Nanoparticles; Nanostructure; Pattern formation; Phase inversion; Phase shift; polymers; Proteins; Ultrafiltration; Mixed matrix membrane; Pattern formation; Flow direction; Ultrafiltration; Fouling mitigation; Membrane separation; Patterning; Fouling; Membrane
• ISSN: 0376-7388; 1873-3123
• DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2013.06.056

This paper presents a simple method to form a nano-sized pattern on the surface of mixed matrix membranes with an increasing amount of nanoparticles incorporated in the polymer matrix through phase inversion technique. The fouling by bovine serum albumin (BSA) ultrafiltration could be mitigated when the feed protein solution flowed to the direction perpendicular to the patterned lines while the fouled surface was washed more effectively when the flow was parallel to the patterned direction. The proposed method allows pattern to be controlled on the surface of a large membrane area at a lower cost. Also, hydrophilicity of the membrane surface can be increased by adding hydrophilic nanoparticles, which also contributes to fouling mitigation. [Display omitted] •The pattern is formed at the membrane surface in the phase inversion process.•The pattern can be controlled by increasing the nanoparticle loading.•Membrane fouling by BSA and washing of the fouled membrane by water.•Fouling and washing depend on the direction of feed flow.