Synergistic effect of concurrent presence of zirconium oxide and iron oxide in the form of core-shell nanoparticles on the performance of Fe3O4@ZrO2 /PAN nanocomposite membrane

Abstract

In this research, to benefit from the hydrophilic properties of zirconia nanoparticles as well as the role of iron oxide nanoparticles in improving porosity of polymer membranes simultaneously, Fe3O4@ZrO2/PAN nanocomposite membrane was synthesized and its performance was examined in reducing biological fouling of the membrane. FESEM analysis confirmed a size distribution of 35–55 nm, and TEM analysis confirmed a core-shell structure for Fe3O4@ZrO2 nanoparticles. FTIR analysis identified the functional groups in the Fe3O4@ZrO2 nanoparticles and confirmed their presence in the matrix of 1 Fe3O4@ZrO2/PAN NCM membrane. Contact angle analysis confirmed the role of zirconia nanoparticles in enhancing the membrane hydrophilicity by 51%, and porosimetry analysis confirmed the role of iron oxide nanoparticles in improving porosity of nanocomposite membranes by 47%. Usage of 1 wt% of Fe3O4@ZrO2 nanoparticles in the PAN membrane matrix brought about 40% increase in water flux and 37% growth in dye rejection for 1Fe3O4@ZrO2/PAN NCM membrane. Investigation of the role of Fe3O4@ZrO2 nanoparticles in the filtration of biological macromolecules indicated that 1 Fe3O4@ZrO2/PAN NCM membrane has 60%, 51%, and 56% less resistance to filtration of humic acid, sodium alginate, and BSA, respectively, when compared with raw membranes. © 2017 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l.