TiO2 Blended Membranes Used in Wastewater Nanofiltration Systems from Medical Sector

Abstract

The study aims to investigate the influence of TiO2 nanoparticles on the permeation and retention properties of polymeric membranes used in wastewater nanofiltration systems from the medical sector. The research is focused on the influence of the TiO2 nanoparticles concentration on the membrane properties. Additives in general determine enhanced membrane properties like permeation and retention capacity. Hydrophobicityhowever, is decreasing due to the nanoparticles affinity for water and this have an important effect on the permeation properties, at the same time with the decrease in surface roughness, with an important influence on the fouling effect. Membranes with four different concentrations of TiO2 nanoparticles were studied, from 0 to 2% nanoparticles. Results showed that small percent of nanoparticles have an important impact on the permeation properties of the membranes, finding that at 2% nanoparticles the permeation decreases due to the nanoparticles aggregations which are blocking the pores.