Research on Obtaining and Characterization of Polymeric Membranes for Wastewater Treatment

Abstract

Some of the most common polymeric membranes are used in wastewater treatment. Over the years, these membranes have been studied from different points of view: their aim to improve the retention of impurities, membrane affinity to water and degree of fouling of polymeric membranes. By analysing the surface of the membrane material by chemical characteristics information can be offered regarding the polymer’s hydrophilicity or hydrophobicity. Improving membrane properties can be achieved during the stage of obtaining the polymer solution and during the thin film deposition step. To obtain polymeric membranes, the phase inversion method was used, following the influencing factors on membrane properties during the manufacturing process. The performance of membranes was studied using various parameters which lead to different results in terms of flux, permeability and hydrophilicity. This paper presents the influence of different polymer concentration, the influence of relative air humidity and the membrane thickness gradient on membrane flux and permeability.