Abstract
We report in this study the synthesis of mixed matrix reverse osmosis membranes by interfacial polymerization (IP) of thin film nanocomposite (TFNC) on porous polysulfone supports (PS). This paper investigates the synthesis of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) using the sol-gel processing technique and NPs enhanced membranes and evaluates the performance of mixed matrix membranes. Aqueous m-phenyl diamine (MPD) and organic trimesoyl chloride (TMC)-NPs mixture solutions were used in the IP process. The reaction of MPD and TMC at the interface of PS substrates resulted in the formation of the thin film composite (TFC). NPs of ZnO with a size of about 25 nm were used for the fabrication of the TFNC membranes. The TFNC membranes were characterized and evaluated in comparison with a (TFC) membrane. Their performances were evaluated based on the water permeability and salt rejection. Experimental results indicated that the NPs improved membrane performance under optimal weight NPs. By changing the content of the filler, better hydrophilicity was obtained; the contact angle was decreased from 94 degrees to 18 degrees. Also, the permeate water flux was increased from 26 to 48 L/m2.h when the weight of NPs is 0.007g with the maintaining of high salt rejection of 99%.