Pure polymeric membranes are facing challenges of biofouling and bacteria induced degradation which reduces their life time and cost effectiveness in water treatment. Mixed matrix membranes composed of a polyethersulfone as base polymer and zinc oxide (ZnO) nanostructures as modifiers were synthesized to control the chemical surface properties and pore size of the membrane and consequently the membrane performance and antimicrobial properties. Water contact angle measurements on the membranes show an increase in hydrophilicity of the ZnO nanoparticles (ZnO-np)-modified membranes. Surface charge of the membranes was controlled by modifying the ZnO content and the size of zinc oxide nanorods (ZnO-nr) grown in the membranes using a simple hydrothermal process. Antibacterial activity of the membranes was tested using E-coli and it was found that ZnO-np and ZnO-nr reduce the bacterial growth at the membrane surface by up to 70% compared to the unmodified polyethersulfone membranes. Reducing the bacterial growth at the modified membrane surface by growing the ZnO nanorods can offer useful solutions to increase the life time of the membrane and maintain the performance in water treatment plants.

Modification of blended polyethersulfone membranes by in-situ growth of zinc oxide nanostructures for prevention of biofouling during water treatment

251st National Meeting (2016)

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