Removal of trace phthalate esters from water by thin-film composite nanofiltration hollow fiber membranes

•NF hollow fiber membrane could remove PAEs from water effectively.•The steric hindrance played an important role in PAE removal.•The effects of operation parameters on the removal of PEAs were investigated.

Rejection behavior of five kinds of phthalate acid ester (PAEs) including dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), dibutyl phthalate (DBP), di-n-octyl phthalate (DnOP) and diethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP) from water sources using lab-fabricated hollow fiber nanofiltration (NF) membranes were investigated. Adsorption kinetic behaviors of PAEs were studied as well as the different operation parameters on the rejection of PAEs. The results showed that the times in which PAEs reach saturation adsorption on membrane surface are different. The equilibrium time increased with the molecular weight of the PAE increase. After the PAE reached adsorption equilibrium, the rejection rates of DMP, DEP, DBP, DnOP and DEHP by NF membranes were 82.3%, 86.7%, 91.5%, 95.1% and 95.4%, respectively. The influence of operation parameters including the operation pressure, pH, ionic strength, and temperature on PAE rejection behaviors were also studied.