Fabrication and Analysis of BoronNitride Nanosheets based Membranes for Water Treatment

Abstract

The current research aimed to fabricate Cellulose acetate/polyethylene glycol (CA/PEG) based mixed matrix membranes incorporated with two-dimensional boron nitride (BN) nanosheets by non-solvent induced phase inversion (NIPS) process. Synthesized membranes were characterized in terms of surface morphology (SEM), functional groups (FTIR), hydrophilicity (contact angle measurement) and other properties (mean pore radius, porosity). Large macro-voids were formed on crosssectional morphology of the synthesized membranes by the addition of BN nanosheets. This is also attributed to enhancement of mean pore radius, porosity, and hydrophilicity of membranes. Membranes incorporated with BN nanosheets showed high hydrophilicity and higher water flux values as compared to pure CA/PEG membrane. A decrease in flux was observed at higher concentration of BN nanosheets due to agglomeration of BN nanosheets in the membrane structure. Highest pure water flux of 54 Lm-2 h -1 and oil rejection efficiency of 96% was stated for CA/PEG membrane with optimum concentration of 0.25 wt% BN nanosheets. Moreover, this membrane showed better anti-fouling property having flux recovery ratio of 94% as compared to pure CA/PEG membrane with flux recovery ratio of 77%.