The strong trade-off between water flux and rejection is a challenge for polymeric membranes. The effect of CuO nanoparticles on the properties and performance of a polyvinyl chloride membrane for removal of bovine serum albumin (BSA) from contaminated surface water is evaluated. A positive impact in terms of surface porosity, permeation flux, antifouling performance, and BSA rejection could be stated.

Abstract

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC)/copper oxide (CuO) nanocomposite membranes were fabricated at different CuO nanoparticles loading levels using the phase inversion method. The fabricated membranes were tested through two filtration cycles in a submerged membrane system to remove bovine serum albumin (BSA) from water. Results showed that the hydrophilicity and porosity of the nanocomposite membranes were enhanced with an increase of CuO nanoparticles loading. The field emission electron microscopy images from the membrane surface demonstrated that the number and size of pores increased with addition of CuO nanoparticles. The atomic force microscopy test displayed that all nanocomposite membranes showed lower surface roughness in comparison to neat PVC membranes. The obtained results from membrane performance indicated that the irreversible fouling ratio for neat PVC membranes in the first and second cycles of filtration decreased for PVC/CuO-1.5 membranes. Compared with the neat PVC membrane, the membrane containing CuO exhibited better capabilities such as the enhanced permeation flux, higher BSA rejection rate, and better antifouling properties.