Synthesis, characterization and performance studies of polysulfone and polysulfone/polymer-grafted bentonite based ultrafiltration membranes for the efficient separation of oil field oily wastewater

• Synthesis and characterization of polysulfone/polymer grafted bentonite UF membrane.
• Bulk and surface morphology of grafted polysulfone membrane.
• Enhanced membrane surface hydrophilicity.
• Enhanced purification of oil field produced oily water.
• Improved membrane fouling resistance characteristics.

In this study, polysulfone based mixed-matrix ultrafiltration membranes were prepared by blending polysulfone with different polymer-grafted bentonite additives. Formation of polymer-grafted bentonite was confirmed by Fourier transformed infra-red spectroscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray and thermal gravimetric analysis. Membranes were fabricated via wet phase inversion process with varying additive concentration. Hydrophilicity and structural changes of grafted polysulfone membranes were investigated by scanning electron microscope, water contact angle, molecular weight cut-off and pure water flux measurement. Prepared polysulfone/polymer grafted bentonite membrane was used for the separation of oil from oil-field oily wastewater and the membrane performance was evaluated in terms of permeate flux, oil rejection and fouling characteristics. Finally, results were compared with plain polysulfone and polysulfone/bentonite ultrafiltration membranes.

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