Simultaneous Improvement of Antimicrobial, Antifouling, and Transport Properties of Forward Osmosis Membranes with Immobilized Highly-Compatible Polyrhodanine Nanoparticles.

This work shows that incorporating highly compatible polyrhodanine nanoparticles (PRh-NPs) into a polyamide (PA) active layer allows for fabricating forward osmosis (FO) thin-film composite (TFC)-PRh membranes that have simultaneously improved antimicrobial, antifouling, and transport properties. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported study of its kind to this date. The presence of the PRh-NPs on the surface of the TFC-PRh membranes active layers is evaluated using FT-IR spectroscopy, SEM, and XPS. The microscopic interactions and their impact on the compatibility of the PRh-NPs with the PA chains were studied using molecular dynamics simulations. When tested in forward osmosis, the TFC-PRh-0.01 membrane (with 0.01 wt % PRh) shows significantly improved permeability and selectivity because of the small size and the high compatibility of the PRh-NPs with PA chains. For example, the TFC-PRh-0.01 membrane exhibits a FO water flux of 41 l/(m2·h), higher than a water flux of 34 l/(m2·h) for the pristine TFC membrane, when 1.5 molar NaCl was used as draw solution in the active-layer feed-solution mode. Moreover, the reverse solute flux of the TFC-PRh-0.01 membrane decreases to about 115 mmol/(m2·h) representing a 52% improvement in the reverse solute flux of this membrane in comparison to the pristine TFC membrane. The surfaces of the TFC-PRh membranes were found to be smoother and more hydrophilic than those of the pristine TFC membrane, providing improved antifouling properties confirmed by a flux decline of about 38% for the TFC-PRh-0.01 membranes against a flux decline of about 50% for the pristine TFC membrane when evaluated with a sodium alginate solution. The antimicrobial traits of the TFC-PRh-0.01 membrane evaluated using colony-forming units and fluorescence imaging indicate that the PRh-NPs hinder cell deposition on the TFC-PRh-0.01 membrane surface effectively, limiting biofilm formation.

Mitigation of Thin-Film Composite Membrane Biofouling via Immobilizing Nano-Sized Biocidal Reservoirs in the Membrane Active Layer.

This work investigates the use of a silver-based metal-organic framework (MOF) for mitigating biofouling in forward-osmosis thin-film composite (TFC) membranes. This is the first study of the use of MOFs for biofouling control in membranes. MOF nanocrystals were immobilized in the active layer of the membranes via dispersion in the organic solution used for interfacial polymerization. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) characterization results showed the presence of the MOF nanocrystals in the active layer of the membranes. The immobilization improved the membrane active layer in terms of hydrophilicity and transport properties without adversely affecting the selectivity. It imparted antibacterial activity to the membranes; the number of live bacteria attached to the membrane surface was over 90% less than that of control membranes. Additionally, the MOF nanocrystals provided biocidal activity that lasted for 6 months. The immobilization improved biofouling resistance in the membranes, whose flux had a decline of 8% after 24 h of operation in biofouling experiments, while that of the control membranes had a greater decline of ∼21%. The better biofouling resistance is due to simultaneous improvement of antiadhesive and antimicrobial properties of the membranes. Fluorescence microscopy and FE-SEM indicated simultaneous improvement in antiadhesive and antimicrobial properties of the TFN membranes, resulting in limited biofilm formation.

Mixed matrix membrane application for olive oil wastewater treatment: process optimization based on Taguchi design method.

Olive oil mill wastewater (OMW) is a concentrated effluent with a high organic load. It has high levels of organic chemical oxygen demand (COD) and phenolic compounds. This study presents a unique process to treat OMW. The process uses ultrafiltration (UF) membranes modified by a functionalized multi wall carbon nano-tube (F-MWCNT). The modified tube has an inner diameter of 15-30 nm and is added to the OMW treatment process to improve performance of the membrane. Tests were done to evaluate the following operating parameters of the UF system; pressure, pH and temperature; also evaluated parameters of permeate flux, flux decline, COD removal and total phenol rejection. The Taguchi robust design method was applied for an optimization evaluation of the experiments. Variance (ANOVA) analysis was used to determine the most significant parameters affecting permeate flux, flux decline, COD removal and total phenols rejection. Results demonstrated coagulation and pH as the most important factors affecting permeate flux of the UF. Moreover, pH and F-MWCNT UF had significant positive effects on flux decline, COD removal and total phenols rejection. Based on the optimum conditions determined by the Taguchi method, evaluations for permeate flux tests; flux decline, COD removal and total phenols rejection were about 21.2 (kg/m(2) h), 12.6%, 72.6% and 89.5%, respectively. These results were in good agreement with those predicted by the Taguchi method (i.e.; 22.8 (kg/m(2) h), 11.9%, 75.8 and 94.7%, respectively). Mechanical performance of the membrane and its application for high organic wastewater treatment were determined as strong.