Study on the Effective Removal of Chromium VI via Polysulfone/TiO2 Nanocomposite Membranes and Its Antifouling Property

Abstract

By thermal induced phase inversion technique, polysulfone/TiO2 (psf/TiO2) nanocomposite membranes are prepared with N-methyl pyrrolidone(NMP) as solvent and polyvinylpyrrolidone(PVP) as the porogen. The prepared membranes are then undergone physical, morphological, thermal characterization studies using a universal testing machine, scanning electron microscope, thermogravimetric analyzer, and X-ray diffractometer. Membrane properties such as porosity, equilibrium moisture content, contact angle, flux rate, % rejection, and its antifouling property are also determined. Polysulfone nanocomposite membranes with 1% TiO2 is found to have a higher porosity, percentage of water uptake, mechanical properties, and a lower contact angle. Polysulfone with 1% TiO2 is found to have a higher performance with the flux rate of 75.714 l/m2 h along with the 94.045% Cr(VI) ion rejection and a better antifouling property.