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Enhancing the RO performance of cellulose acetate membrane using chitosan nanoparticles

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Abstract

Asymmetric reverse osmosis membranes of cellulose acetate (CA) in presence of chitosan nanoparticles as anti-biofouling material were prepared using the phase-inversion technique. The effect of some preparation parameters on the membrane properties, e.g. polymer composition, evaporation time and annealing temperature were studied. FTIR, TGA, SEM and Contact angle were carried out to characterize the produced membranes. The water flux and salt rejection of the membranes were assessed using 35 g/L Nacl in a dead end filtration system. The results revealed that the addition of chitosan nanoparticles increased the water flux from 6 L/m2.h for blank (CA-0) to about 18 L/m2.h for (CA-2) membrane containing 2% chitosan nanoparticles with increment of salt rejection from 89 to 94%. For membrane with proper salt rejection it should be annealed at 80 °C prior to filtration test. The static adhesion test indicated enhancement in fouling resistance of the membrane containing chitosan nanoparticles to bacterial attack.

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Acknowledgement

The author would like to thank National research Centre for contribution in completion of this work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Polymers and Pigments Department, National Research Center, Elbuhouth St., Dokki, Giza, Egypt

    M. A. Abd El-Ghaffar, Mahmoud M. Elawady & Ahmed E. Abdelhamid

  2. Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Ain-Shams University, Cairo, Egypt

    Abdelgawad M. Rabie

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  1. M. A. Abd El-Ghaffar
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  2. Mahmoud M. Elawady
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  3. Abdelgawad M. Rabie
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  4. Ahmed E. Abdelhamid
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Correspondence to Ahmed E. Abdelhamid.

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High lights: (1) Cellulose acetate membranes were prepared via phase-inversion technique; (2) The membranes blended with chitosan nano-particles showed enhanced water flux and salt rejection properties; (3) The cellulose membranes modified with chitosan nano-particles exhibited remarkable antifouling properties to bacterial attack.

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El-Ghaffar, M.A.A., Elawady, M.M., Rabie, A.M. et al. Enhancing the RO performance of cellulose acetate membrane using chitosan nanoparticles. J Polym Res 27, 337 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10965-020-02319-7

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