Influence of the Zeolite ZSM-22 Precursor on a UF-PES Selective Substrate Layer for Salts Rejection
Fabrication of the ZSM-22/Polyethersulfone (ZSM-22/PES) membranes as selective salt filters represent a growing membrane technological area in separation with the potential of high economic reward based on its low energy requirements. The incorporation of ZSM-22 zeolite material as additives into th...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2022-05-01
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| Series: | Membranes |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/12/6/553 |
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| author | Nyiko M. Chauke Richard M. Moutloali James Ramontja |
| author_facet | Nyiko M. Chauke Richard M. Moutloali James Ramontja |
| author_sort | Nyiko M. Chauke |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Fabrication of the ZSM-22/Polyethersulfone (ZSM-22/PES) membranes as selective salt filters represent a growing membrane technological area in separation with the potential of high economic reward based on its low energy requirements. The incorporation of ZSM-22 zeolite material as additives into the PES polymer matrix has the prospective advantage of combining both the zeolite and polymer features while overcoming the limitations associated with both materials. This work investigated the influence of the nature of the silica precursor on ZSM-22 zeolite hydrothermally synthesised using colloidal (C60) and fumed (C60) silica to Si/Al of 60. The successful synthesis of the highly crystalline zeolitic materials was confirmed through XRD, FTIR, and SEM with EDX. The ZSM-22 additives were directly dispersed into a PES polymeric matrix to form a casting solution for the preparation of the ZSM-22/PES selective substrate layers via a phase inversion method for salts rejection. The polymeric PES was selected as an organic network in which the content of the ZSM-22 zeolite (ranging between 0 and 1.0 wt.%), was obtained and characterised by XRD, FTIR, and SEM analysis, as well as water contact angle (WCA) measurement and dead-end filtration cell. The phase inversion preparation method has induced the resulting ZSM-22/PES NF substrates anisotropy, as attributed to a high water flux to the above 700 L·m<sup>−2</sup>·h<sup>−1</sup>; high selectivity and rejection of salts to above 80% is revealed by the obtained results. The materials also exhibited improved antifouling behavior to above 70% flux recovery ratios. As such, the nature of the silica precursor influences ZSM-22 zeolite synthesis as a potential additive in the PES polymer matrix and led to the enhanced performance of the pure PES ultrafiltration membrane. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T23:06:24Z |
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| id | doaj.art-f0066104585f4dd8b539362bd544f929 |
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| issn | 2077-0375 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T23:06:24Z |
| publishDate | 2022-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Membranes |
| spelling | doaj.art-f0066104585f4dd8b539362bd544f9292023-11-23T17:53:47ZengMDPI AGMembranes2077-03752022-05-0112655310.3390/membranes12060553Influence of the Zeolite ZSM-22 Precursor on a UF-PES Selective Substrate Layer for Salts RejectionNyiko M. Chauke0Richard M. Moutloali1James Ramontja2Department of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein, Johannesburg 2028, South AfricaDSI/MINTEK Nanotechnology Innovation Centre-Water Research Node, University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein, Johannesburg 2028, South AfricaDepartment of Chemical Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Johannesburg, Doornfontein, Johannesburg 2028, South AfricaFabrication of the ZSM-22/Polyethersulfone (ZSM-22/PES) membranes as selective salt filters represent a growing membrane technological area in separation with the potential of high economic reward based on its low energy requirements. The incorporation of ZSM-22 zeolite material as additives into the PES polymer matrix has the prospective advantage of combining both the zeolite and polymer features while overcoming the limitations associated with both materials. This work investigated the influence of the nature of the silica precursor on ZSM-22 zeolite hydrothermally synthesised using colloidal (C60) and fumed (C60) silica to Si/Al of 60. The successful synthesis of the highly crystalline zeolitic materials was confirmed through XRD, FTIR, and SEM with EDX. The ZSM-22 additives were directly dispersed into a PES polymeric matrix to form a casting solution for the preparation of the ZSM-22/PES selective substrate layers via a phase inversion method for salts rejection. The polymeric PES was selected as an organic network in which the content of the ZSM-22 zeolite (ranging between 0 and 1.0 wt.%), was obtained and characterised by XRD, FTIR, and SEM analysis, as well as water contact angle (WCA) measurement and dead-end filtration cell. The phase inversion preparation method has induced the resulting ZSM-22/PES NF substrates anisotropy, as attributed to a high water flux to the above 700 L·m<sup>−2</sup>·h<sup>−1</sup>; high selectivity and rejection of salts to above 80% is revealed by the obtained results. The materials also exhibited improved antifouling behavior to above 70% flux recovery ratios. As such, the nature of the silica precursor influences ZSM-22 zeolite synthesis as a potential additive in the PES polymer matrix and led to the enhanced performance of the pure PES ultrafiltration membrane.https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/12/6/553zeolite ZSM-22 materialspolymeric membranesmembrane preparationnanofiltration membranemembrane separationnanocomposite membranes |
| spellingShingle | Nyiko M. Chauke Richard M. Moutloali James Ramontja Influence of the Zeolite ZSM-22 Precursor on a UF-PES Selective Substrate Layer for Salts Rejection Membranes zeolite ZSM-22 materials polymeric membranes membrane preparation nanofiltration membrane membrane separation nanocomposite membranes |
| title | Influence of the Zeolite ZSM-22 Precursor on a UF-PES Selective Substrate Layer for Salts Rejection |
| title_full | Influence of the Zeolite ZSM-22 Precursor on a UF-PES Selective Substrate Layer for Salts Rejection |
| title_fullStr | Influence of the Zeolite ZSM-22 Precursor on a UF-PES Selective Substrate Layer for Salts Rejection |
| title_full_unstemmed | Influence of the Zeolite ZSM-22 Precursor on a UF-PES Selective Substrate Layer for Salts Rejection |
| title_short | Influence of the Zeolite ZSM-22 Precursor on a UF-PES Selective Substrate Layer for Salts Rejection |
| title_sort | influence of the zeolite zsm 22 precursor on a uf pes selective substrate layer for salts rejection |
| topic | zeolite ZSM-22 materials polymeric membranes membrane preparation nanofiltration membrane membrane separation nanocomposite membranes |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0375/12/6/553 |
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