Enhancement of the Fouling Resistance of Zwitterion Coated Ceramic Membranes

Abstract

Ceramic membranes suffer from rapid permeability loss during filtration of organic matter due to their fouling propensity. To address this problem, iron oxide ultrafiltration membranes were coated with poly(sulfobetaine methacrylate) (polySBMA), a superhydrophilic zwitterionic polymer. The ceramic-organic hybrid membrane was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and optical profilometry (OP). Membranes with and without polySBMA coating were subjected to fouling with bovine serum albumin solution. Hydraulic cleaning was significantly more effective for the coated membrane than for the non-coated one, as 56%, 66%, and 100% of the fouling was removed for the first, second, and third filtration cycle, respectively. Therefore, we can highlight the improved cleaning due to an increased fouling reversibility. Although some loss of polymer during operation was detected, it did not affect the improved behavior of the tested membranes.

Generalization and Expansion of the Hermia Model for a Better Understanding of Membrane Fouling

“…Taking into account the data in the literature [17], [18], [19], [20], [21], [22] and [23], as well as the model fitting presented in Tables 1-7, it is possible to infer that the effects of variables such as TMP, CFR, filtration mechanism, membrane composition and solution nature vary greatly. The variables that have the biggest impact on the coefficients 𝑷 and 𝒌 are the membrane composition, the solution nature and the filtration mechanism.…”

“…To better illustrate how the Generalized Hermia model can be used, this model has been fitted to already published data ( [17], [18], [19], [20], [21], [22], [23]). The model fitting was done in terms of the specific membrane flux, given by 𝑗/𝑗 .…”

“…The fitting presented in Table 3 and in Figures 8 and 9 indicates how fouling accumulates over many cycles of operation. The original work proposed in [19] aimed to reduce fouling by coating the membrane PolySBMA. As shown in Table 3, both coated and uncoated membranes showed an increase in 𝑘 on later cycles, as well as different values of 𝑃.…”

“…Figure 8. Model fitting for filtration conditions of bovine serum albumin solutions in uncoated membranes[19] …”

Generalization and Expansion of the Hermia Model for a Better Understanding of Membrane Fouling

“…Aiming to decrease the effects of fouling in iron oxide ultrafiltration membranes, Storms and collaborators coated these ceramic membranes with poly(sulfobetaine methacrylate) (polySBMA), a superhydrophilic zwitterionic polymer and investigated whether this modification was helpful towards flux reduction. Albumin solutions were filtered at a TMP of 103.421 kPa in three fouling stages for both uncoated and coated membranes, such that washings were performed between stages [19].…”