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2. Master Thesis / Tesis Master
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Title:	Influence of silica nanoparticles towards the characteristics and performances of polysulfone-based membranes
Authors:	Ng Law Yong. (P51943)
Supervisor:	Abdul Wahab, Prof. Ir. Dr.
Keywords:	Membranes (Technology). Polysulfone Silica nanoparticles
Issue Date:	8-Jul-2011
Description:	Polysulfone (PSF) is one of the ideal polymeric materials for membrane fabrication due to its high mechanical property, good heat-aging resistance, and high chemical stability. However, PSF membranes are prone to fouling due to its hydrophobicity. Various methods have been introduced to increase the performances of the PSF membranes. Addition of inorganic nanoparticles in the membranes is one of the options that have aroused great interest due to their convenient operations, mild conditions, and stable performances. This research work is intended to study the effect of silica nanoparticles towards the PSF membrane. The fabricated membranes would be characterized and tested for separation performances. Besides, the effect of poly(vinyl alcohol) towards the dispersion of the silica nanoparticles in the PSF membranes would also be studied. Central composite design of response surface methodology (RSM) was used to predict the maximum permeability and real salt rejection of the PSF membranes. Factors affecting permeability and real salt rejection of PSF membranes are silica (0-12 wt. % of PSF) and PVA (0-2 wt. % of PSF) content. Optimized composition of PSF membrane was determined to be 1.71 wt. % of PVA and 10.24 wt. % of silica nanoparticles with 0.79 desirability. Membrane permeability and real salt rejection ability obtained experimentally were 61.93 L.m -2 .hr -1 .bar -1 and 97.59 % with deviation from the predicted values of 34.72 % and 15.84 %, respectively. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) was used to determine the rejection ability and the anti-fouling properties of the membranes modified by silica nanoparticles and poly(vinyl alcohol). Polysulfone membrane incorporated with silica nanoparticles showed higher solution flux for prolonged separation duration and better surface anti-fouling property compared with other membranes. Silica nanoparticles could reduce the deposition of the BSA on the surface of PSF membrane produced. Tensile strength test confirmed that the addition of silica nanoparticles can improve mechanical strength of PSF membranes. However, addition of PVA has weakening effect on the mechanical strength of PSF membranes. The addition of silica nanoparticles and PVA has minimum effect on the typical asymmetric structures of PSF membrane as shown in SEM micrographs. This observation may be due to the good incorporation of additives in PSF membranes that was confirmed from EDX and FTIR results. Besides, contact angle test revealed that PVA could reduce the agglomeration between silica nanoparticles, increase the surface energy and thus producing membrane with higher hydrophilicity,Master
Pages:	129
Call Number:	TP159.M4 N465 2011 3
Publisher:	UKM, Bangi
Appears in Collections:	Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment / Fakulti Kejuruteraan dan Alam Bina

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