New Understanding of the Difference in Filtration Performance between Anatase and Rutile TiO<sub>2</sub> Nanoparticles through Blending into Ultrafiltration PSF Membranes

Iulian-Gabriel Birsan; Stefan Catalin Pintilie; Laurentia Geanina Pintilie; Andreea Liliana Lazar; Adrian Circiumaru; Stefan Balta

doi:10.3390/membranes11110841

Membranes (Oct 2021)

New Understanding of the Difference in Filtration Performance between Anatase and Rutile TiO<sub>2</sub> Nanoparticles through Blending into Ultrafiltration PSF Membranes

Iulian-Gabriel Birsan,
Stefan Catalin Pintilie,
Laurentia Geanina Pintilie,
Andreea Liliana Lazar,
Adrian Circiumaru,
Stefan Balta

Affiliations

Iulian-Gabriel Birsan: Department of Applied Sciences, Cross-Border Faculty, Dunarea de Jos University of Galati, 111th Domneasca Street, 800201 Galati, Romania
Stefan Catalin Pintilie: Department of Applied Sciences, Cross-Border Faculty, Dunarea de Jos University of Galati, 111th Domneasca Street, 800201 Galati, Romania
Laurentia Geanina Pintilie: Department of Materials and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Dunarea de Jos University of Galati, 111th Domneasca Street, 800201 Galati, Romania
Andreea Liliana Lazar: Department of Materials and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Dunarea de Jos University of Galati, 111th Domneasca Street, 800201 Galati, Romania
Adrian Circiumaru: Department of Applied Sciences, Cross-Border Faculty, Dunarea de Jos University of Galati, 111th Domneasca Street, 800201 Galati, Romania
Stefan Balta: Department of Materials and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Dunarea de Jos University of Galati, 111th Domneasca Street, 800201 Galati, Romania

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/membranes11110841
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 11, no. 11
p. 841

Abstract

Read online

The blending of nanomaterials into a polymeric matrix is a method known for its ability, under certain circumstances, to lead to an improvement in membrane properties. TiO2 nanoparticles have been used in membrane research for the last 20 years and have continuously shown promise in this field of research. Polysulfone (PSf) membranes were obtained through the phase inversion method, with different TiO2 nanoparticle concentrations (0, 0.1, 0.5, and 1 wt.%) and two types of TiO2 crystalline structure (anatase and rutile), via the addition of commercially available nanopowders. Research showed improvement in all studied properties. In particular, the 0.5 wt.% TiO2 rutile membrane recorded an increase in permeability of 139.7% compared to the control membrane. In terms of overall performance, the best nanocomposite membrane demonstrated a performance index increase of 71.1% compared with the control membrane.

Published in Membranes

ISSN: 2077-0375 (Online)
Publisher: MDPI AG
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Technology: Chemical technology: Chemical engineering
Website: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/membranes

About the journal

Abstract

Keywords