Ignacio-de Leon P., Chen X., Rabe E., Urgun-Demirtas M., Puga M., Zhou Z., Brotzman R.
Argonne National Laboratory, US
Keywords: iron cobalt oxide nanotube, lignin filtration, magnetic nanotube, nanocomposite membrane, vertically-aligned nanotube
Nanocomposite membranes, with magnetic nanotubes embedded in polyethersulfone (PES) membrane to form a permselective layer on microporous supports, are reported in this study for potential applications in wastewater treatment. Two new processes, alignment of nanotubes with an external magnetic field and post-synthesis enzyme treatment, were employed in membrane fabrication. Iron cobalt oxide (Fe2CoO4) nanotubes, with 20-25 nm diameter and aspect ratio ca. 10,000, function as nanochannels spanning the permselective layer. Pure water flux values of 9.4 and 4.8 L/m2-h through membranes with vertically-aligned and randomly-oriented nanotubes, respectively, were obtained at 40 psi. These membranes were used to filter lignin, a contaminant in effluent wastewater from paper and mill industries and lignocellulosic biofuels production. The lignin % rejection from a 10,000 ppm feed at 40 psi through a PES support increases from 7.3% to 39.1% (5.3x higher) and 62.8% (8.6x higher) through membranes prepared with and without a magnetic field, respectively.
Journal: TechConnect Briefs
Volume: 1, Advanced Materials: TechConnect Briefs 2016
Published: May 22, 2016
Pages: 257 - 260
Industry sector: Advanced Materials & Manufacturing
Topic: Coatings, Surfaces & Membranes
ISBN: 978-0-9975-1170-3