Modification of ultrafiltration membrane with nanoscale zerovalent iron layers for humic acid fouling reduction

• Nanoscale zerovalent iron (NZVI) layered membrane exhibits antifouling properties.
• NZVI strongly adheres to ultrafiltration membrane.
• NZVI behaves much better under acidic conditions.
• Large specific surface area of NZVI most effectively reduces membrane fouling.
• NZVI best removes large molecular weight humic acid.

Nanoscale zerovalent iron (NZVI) was layered onto ultrafiltration (UF) membrane surface and tested for antifouling properties using humic acid (HA). Scanning electron microscopy showed that a relatively homogeneous layer was formed across the membrane surface by NZVI particles. Strong adhesion was observed between NZVI and UF membrane used. HA was significantly removed and membrane flux was increased in the presence of NZVI layer. Increased loadings of NZVI onto the membrane surface increased resistance to fouling while slightly reducing the clean water permeability of the membrane. However, the pore size of the layer formed by pristine NZVI was large, resulting in more chances of HA molecules getting to the membrane surface even blocking the membrane pores at the beginning. Membrane loaded with NZVI layer performed much better under acidic conditions. During NZVI synthesis, specific surface area of NZVI particle increased with increasing the ratio of ethanol (Vethanol/Vsolution), which also gradually decreased the average pore size of NZVI layer. As a result, the corresponding membrane flux steadily increased. Additionally, the results for permeate samples under different conditions showed that large molecular weight (MW, >30 kDa) and medium MW HA molecules (3–30 kDa) were removed much faster than those of small MW HA molecules (<3 kDa).

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