Nanocomposite Kevlar Fabric Membrane for Oil/Water Separation

Nanocomposite membranes with hydrophilic surface were fabricated for separation of oil (n-hexane) fromoil/water emulsion. Three different nanomaterials namely, para-aminobenzoate alumoxane (PAB-A), boehmite-epoxideand polycitrate alumoxane (PC-A) were coated on the Kevlar fabric (support), according to a three-step dip coatingprotocol. The three coating layers interacted chemically with one another and also physically with the Kevlar fabric.Water affinity measurements indicated that the membrane is almost super hydrophilic one. The smooth surface of thecomposite membrane was showed by SEM analysis. A dead-end filtration setup was applied to test the membranesperformance. Effect of pH as an important variable affecting separation process was investigated with the neutral pHprovided the optimum condition. Oil rejection and permeate fluxes were also monitored. The optimum flux and rejectionobtained, were 7392 (Lm-2h-1) and 89.06 % at pH 7, respectively.

Keywords:

Membrane , Coating , Nanostructure , Alumoxane , Oily Water