Preparation and characterization of organic-inorganic porous membranes. Evaluation of their performance in ultrafiltration

M.P. SANCHEZ IZQUIERDO; L.G. FERNANDEZ; C.O. SORIA; J. MARCHESE; N.A.OCHOA

DESALINATION AND WATER TREATMENT

Desalination Publications

Lugar: Hopkinton, MA 01748, USA; Año: 2009 vol. 12 p. 196 - 201

1944-3994

Flat membranes of polysulfone (PSf)/zirconium oxide (ZrO2) with several oxide percentages weresynthesized by the phase inversion process adding ZrO2 to the casting solution. The effect ofinorganic material concentration on the pore mean diameter, on the hydraulic permeability andon the decline of permeate flow in the ultrafiltration of an oil emulsion was analyzed. The resultsindicate that mean pore radius increases with zirconium oxide content. The presence of zirconiumoxide in the casting solution produces membranes with a higher hydraulic permeability. There isan optimum oxide concentration for which the stationary permeate flow is 30% higher than thatof an oxide-free membrane.