Synthesis and Study of Novel Nanostructured Membranes Incorporating N-doped CNTs for Water Treatment

摘要

This paper presents the synthesis and evaluation of blend membranes of polyethersulfone (PES) containing Ag nanoparticles dispersed on N-doped carbon nanotubes (N-CNTs). The blend membranes were checked for any improved properties and tested for their efficacy in rejecting polyethylene glycol (PEG). The mechanical stability of the blend membranes increased from 3.7 to 4.4 MPa with a small addition of N-CNTs. Furthermore, the performance studies using a cross-flow system showed a 46% increase in pure water flux and a 13% increase in rejections for N-CNT blend PES membranes as compared to the pristine PES membrane. Characterization of the Ag/N-CNTs and the blend membranes was performed by SEM, TEM, FTIR, AFM and contact angle measurements. A study of the fouling capacity of the membranes was studied using humic acid.