Thin Film Composite Membrane from PSF/Chitosan/PEG: Effect of PVA Concentration on the Removal of Mercury and Antifouling Properties

Abstract

In this study, a thin film composite membrane was synthesized by coating a layer of hybrid membrane formulated from a blend of polyethylene glycol (PEG), chitosan and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), cross linked with tetraethylorthosilicate on a polysulfone support membrane. The aim of this experiment is to study the effect of varying the PVA concentrations on the performance of the TFC membranes on the removal of mercury and to determine their antifouling behaviour. Four different concentrations of PVA were selected; 2 wt.%, 3 wt.%, 5 wt.% and 6 wt.%. Results showed that the increase concentration of PVA leads to good removal of mercury ions, and good antifouling properties which was portrayed through high FRR and RFR respectively, and low IFR. The suitable concentration of PVA was found at 3 wt. %, where it has yield TFC membrane that able to remove all the mercury ions from the solution even after 30 minutes filtration time with sufficient amount of flux as compared to other membranes. It also portrays good anti fouling behaviour due to low IFR and average value of RFR (66%). Therefore, this study concludes that the fabricated thin film composite membrane suitable to be used in membrane filtration for heavy metal removal.