Fabrication and characterization of nylon 6, 6, polysulfone and polystyrene electrospun fibre membranes for adsorption of bisphenol a in water
The presence of new emerging pollutants (NEPs) residue in wastewater effluents, surface water and drinking water even after being subjected to the conventional treatment methods is an emerging concern. Hence, a few advanced technologies were introduced, such as pressure-driven membranes, for example...
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| Format: | Thesis |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
2022
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| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://eprints.utm.my/id/eprint/99522/1/MJasminFatihJasniPFS2022.pdf.pdf |
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| Summary: | The presence of new emerging pollutants (NEPs) residue in wastewater effluents, surface water and drinking water even after being subjected to the conventional treatment methods is an emerging concern. Hence, a few advanced technologies were introduced, such as pressure-driven membranes, for example, nanofiltration (NF) and reverse osmosis (RO). However, their performance has been limited due to high-pressure requirement and low permeate flux, leading to high operational costs. In this study, the utilization of the electrospun fibre membranes (EFMs) was explored as they possesses several advantages, such as the lower operating pressure requirement and ability to produce higher permeate flux that is favourable for adsorption technology. The nylon 6, 6 (Ny), polysulfone (PSf) and polystyrene (PSty) EFMs were fabricated by using the electrospinning technique and used for the adsorption of bisphenol A (BPA), acetaminophene (ACTP), sulfamethoxazole (SMX) and ibuprofen (IBP). The optimum conditions, such as applied voltage, flow rate and inner diameter of needle of the electrospinning process for: i) Ny (26 kV, 0.4 mL/h, 0.50 mm), ii) PSf (15 kV, 2.5 mL/h, 0.50 mm) and iii) PSty (16 kV, 1.6 mL/h, 0.60 mm) are considered achieved when continuous and stable streaming jet without any dripping and clogging with minimal beaded fibres is observed. The field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) result showed that the average fibre diameter of Ny, PSf and PSty EFMs was measured at 98, 1291 and 1575 nm, respectively. The contact angle analysis of Ny EFM revealed a hydrophilic character, while PSf and PSty EFMs exhibited hydrophobic character. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis revealed the presence of hydroxyl groups in the BPA molecule, carbonyl and amine groups in Ny EFM and sulfonyl groups in PSf. These results demonstrated that the hydrogen bonding probably could be formed between Ny and PSf EFM with the BPA molecules, thus facilitating the BPA adsorption. When compared to ACTP, SMX, and IBP, the adsorption of BPA by Ny EFM was more effective. The adsorption of BPA in ultrapure water (UPW) by using five layers of Ny EFM was 96%, and the permeate volume of BPA solution was recorded at 193 mL after 30 mins of operation. The result also showed that both composites of Ny+PSf and Ny+PSty EFMs enhanced the permeate volume of BPA solution, which was recorded at 454 and 290 mL, respectively, after 30 mins of operation. The experiment for membrane regeneration and reusability for composites of Ny+PSf and Ny+PSty EFMs through three cycles of BPA adsorption in UPW was successful. This good performance was due to the BPA adsorption showing a consistent performance throughout the three cycles of operation. However, the volume of permeate BPA solution for both composites of Ny+PSf and Ny+PSty EFMs decreased from the first to the third operation cycle, from 454 to 150 mL and 290 to 119 mL, respectively. Additionally, the membrane regeneration and reusability for composite of Ny+PSf EFM through three cycles of BPA adsorption in tap water was also successful with the adsorption of 98 - 99% throughout the three cycles of operation. Meanwhile, the volume of permeate BPA solution was consistent, recorded at 348, 352 and 365 mL during the first, second and third cycles of operation, respectively. The successful BPA adsorption makes the Ny+PSf EFM composite a promising and suitable candidate for use in advanced water filtration systems. |
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