Abstract
Here, we report the fabrication of mixed matrix reverse osmosis membranes by interfacial polymerization (IP) of nanocomposite on porous polysulfone supports. Nanocomposites elaborated for this study comprise magnesium titanium oxide (MgTiO3) nanoparticles dispersed in polyamide host matrix synthesized by the in situ IP process on porous polysulfone commercial supports. Aqueous m-phenyl diamine and organic trimesoyl chloride nanoparticles mixture solutions were used in the IP process. Nanoparticles of MgTiO3 with a size of about 80nm were used as filler for the fabrication of the nanocomposite membranes with a concentrations varying from 0.0001 to 0.009 wt.%. The samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and contact angle setup. Their performances were evaluated based on the water permeability and salt rejection. Results indicated that the nanoparticles are well dispersed in the host matrix of polyamide layer and improved membrane performance under optimal nanoparticle content. By changing the concentration of the filler, hydrophilicity and roughness of the nanocomposite membranes were increased. Notably, the permeate water flux increased from 26 to 44.6L/m(2)h at the nanoparticles concentration of 0.001% with the maintaining of high salt rejection of 98%. These results were obtained with initial NaCl concentration of 2,000ppm and under pressure of 225psi. Also better hydrophilicity was obtained; the contact angle was decreased from 73 to 24 degrees.