Preparation of a composite membrane made of PoPD/PVA ultrafiltration layer on ceramic pozzolan/micronized phosphate support for removal of Congo red dye

Abstract

This work presents the development of a composite ultrafiltration membrane based on poly (o-phenylenediamine) and poly(vinyl alcohol) on flat ceramic support made from pozzolan and micronized phosphate. The active layer was coated on the ceramic support using the dip-coating technique. The developed membrane was characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, water contact angle, permeability, scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray analysis, pore size, as well as filtration performance. The ultrafiltration membrane has a pore diameter of 45 nm, a water permeability of 37.28 L/h m2 bar and a water contact angle of 50°. Finally, the performance of the composite membrane was assessed by the filtration of Congo red dye by varying the operating conditions including the applied pressure (1–3 bar), the feed concentration (20–600 ppm) as well as the feed pH (4–10). The membrane is highly effective for removal of soluble Congo red dye: the rejection was 99.79% under a pressure of 3 bar, a concentration of 600 ppm and a pH of 4.