Fabrication of alumina/polysulfone nanocomposite membranes with biofouling mitigation approach in membrane bioreactors

Abstract

In this study, polysulfone/alumina nanocomposite membranes were synthesized with the principal aim of reducing biofouling in membrane bioreactors. The filtration experiments indicate that alumina nanoparticles can increase water flux by enhancing membrane hydrophilicity while maintaining the separation efficiency through decreasing porosity. Altogether, as confirmed by AFM images, the development of roughness results in biofilm formation reduction on the membrane surface layer. On the whole, presence of alumina nanoparticles up to the polymer concentration of 0.03 wt.% will result in an augment in separation yield up to 7%, four times higher water flux, and 83% reduction in membrane fouling. © 2014 The Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry.