Fabrication of novel (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene/activated carbon/silver nanoparticles) heterogeneous anion exchange membrane: Physico-chemical and antibacterial characteristics

Acrylonitrile/butadiene/styrene based heterogeneous anion exchange membranes were prepared by solution casting technique. Activated carbon (AC) particles and Ag nanolayer were also utilized as adsorptive active sites (filler) and surface modifier in membrane fabrication respectively. The effects of AC concentration and deposited Ag nanolayer thin film thickness on physico-chemical and anti bacterial characteristics of membrane were studied. Membrane potential and selectivity initially were improved with increase of AC concentration up to 2 wt% in casting solution and then showed decreasing trend. Flux was also enhanced with increase in AC loading to 0.5 wt% and then reduced again with more AC concentration. Selectivity was also improved with increase of deposited Ag nanolayer thickness in membranes. Ionic flux was increased initially with increase of nanolayer thickness up to 10 nm and then showed decreasing trend with more increase in nanolayer thickness from 10 to 30 nm. XRD and SEM results revealed that membrane crystalinity was improved and roughness decreased with increase of nanolayer thickness. Thermal stability of membranes was enhanced slightly by additive loading and Ag nanolayer coating. Modified membranes showed good ability in Escherichia coli removal. The 10 nm Ag nanolayer coated membrane containing 0.5 wt% AC showed superior characteristics compared to others.

► Novel ion-exchange membranes were prepared by activated carbon and Ag nanolayer.
► Selectivity and Flux were improved with increase of AC ratio and then declined.
► Selectivity was enhanced with increase of deposited Ag nanolayer thickness.
► Modified membranes showed good ability in E. coli removal compared to pristine one.
► 10 nm Ag coated membrane containing 0.5 wt% AC showed superior characteristics.