Fabrication of alumina/polysulfone nanocomposite membranes with biofouling mitigation approach in membrane bioreactors

•Al2O3/polysulfone nanocomposite membrane was synthesized via phase inversion method.•More population of Al2O3 NP was seen on the surface layer of nanocomposite membrane.•Al2O3 NP on the surface enhanced membrane hydrophilicity, roughness and self-cleaning.•Due to membrane self-cleaning property, biofilm formation on membrane surface reduced.•Al2O3 presence resulted in 4 times increasing in flux and 83% reduction in biofouling.

In this study, polysulfone/alumina nanocomposite membranes were synthesized with the principal aim of reducing biofouling in membrane bioreactors. The filtration experiments indicate that alumina nanoparticles can increase water flux by enhancing membrane hydrophilicity while maintaining the separation efficiency through decreasing porosity. Altogether, as confirmed by AFM images, the development of roughness results in biofilm formation reduction on the membrane surface layer. On the whole, presence of alumina nanoparticles up to the polymer concentration of 0.03 wt.% will result in an augment in separation yield up to 7%, four times higher water flux, and 83% reduction in membrane fouling.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slide