Alginate-based membranes: Paving the way for green organic solvent nanofiltration

Aburabie, Jamaliah H.; Puspasari, Tiara; Peinemann, Klaus-Viktor

Alginate-based membranes: Paving the way for green organic solvent nanofiltration

Files

Revised-JMS-Alginate-based membranes JA TP kaust repository.pdf (1.1 MB)

Embargo End Date

2021-01-01

Type

Article

Authors

Aburabie, Jamaliah H.
Puspasari, Tiara

Peinemann, Klaus-Viktor

KAUST Department

Advanced Membranes and Porous Materials Research Center
Chemical Engineering Program
Physical Science and Engineering (PSE) Division

KAUST Grant Number

BAS/1/1332-01-01

Online Publication Date

2019-10-26

Print Publication Date

2019-10

Date

2019-10-26

Abstract

In this study, green bio-membranes were investigated. Alginate membranes were prepared by crosslinking of sodium alginate in calcium chloride aqueous solution. By fabricating membranes simply using three abundant cheap materials i.e. sodium alginate, salt and water, we have demonstrated membranes with acceptable performance for OSN with excellent chemical stability. Membranes prepared on three different polymeric supports (PAN, crosslinked PAN and Cellulose) showed similar performance. The alginate membranes were also spun coated on glass plate and laminated on alumina support. Great chemical stability was observed towards various solvents including dimethylformamide and dimethylsulfoxide. Characterization tests with FTIR, SEM, AFM and contact angle were carried out. Using same support, many parameters were explored such as the alginate concentration and the post treatment such as drying, crosslinking or precipitating in non-solvent. The range of the membranes permeance was 0.08–1.8 L/m2 h bar depending on conditions used. The nanofiltration experiments revealed a molecular weight cut off of about 1200 g/mol when tested with dyes such as Methyl Orange, Brilliant Blue and vitamin B12 in methanol. We initiated the preparation of fully green organic solvent nanofiltration membranes using green routes by preparing alginate selective layer on top of cellulose support. This study demonstrates that alginate membranes can be a promising candidate for green organic solvent nanofiltration.

Citation

Aburabie, J. H., Puspasari, T., & Peinemann, K.-V. (2019). Alginate-based membranes: Paving the way for green organic solvent nanofiltration. Journal of Membrane Science, 117615. doi:10.1016/j.memsci.2019.117615

Acknowledgements

The surface of the studied membranes was characterized by high-resolution scanning electron microscope (Magellan) or (FEI Nova Nano) at 2 kV. The samples for cross-section images were obtained by fracturing the membrane in liquid nitrogen. Prior to the SEM imaging the samples were sputtered with a 3 nm thick (Magellan) or 5 nm (Nova Nano) Iridium coating using a Quorum Q150T S sputter coater under an argon atmosphere to achieve the necessary conductivity. The Magellan microscope was used to take the cross-section SEM images of the freestanding membranes; the samples were fractured carefully without liquid nitrogen since the support was too brittle to handle.The research reported in this publication was supported by funding from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) under award number BAS/1/1332-01-01.