Fabrication of novel poly(phenylene ether ether sulfone) based nanocomposite membrane modified by Fe2NiO4 nanoparticles and ethanol as organic modifier

In this research, poly(phenylene ether ether sulfone) based nanofiltation membranes were prepared by solution casting technique/phase inversion method. The effects of ethanol and Fe2NiO4 nanopartides and as organic modifier and inorganic filler additive on membranes physico-chemical properties were studied. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and scanning optical microscopy (SOM) analysis, porosity and water content measurements, tensile strength, water flux and salt rejection tests were carried out for the membrane characterization. SEM images showed that utilizing ethanol in polymeric solution led to increase of macro-voids in the membrane matrix. Also images showed that using nanoparticle in casting solution led to increase of the void length. Images showed uniform particle distribution for the composite membranes. Moreover, obtained results exhibited more amount of water content and porosity for the modified membranes compared to virgin type. Results showed that utilizing 0.02 wt.% Fe2NiO4 nanoparddes and 5 wt.% ethanol in the membrane matrix led to increase of water flux from 2 to 14.45 (L/m(2) h) and salt rejection from 49.5 to 93% respectively. Mechanical strength of membrane was decreased obviously by the use of ethanol in casting solution. Mechanical strength was improved initially by the use of 0.01 wt.% NPs in the membrane matrix and then decreased. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.