Incorporation of Hydrophobic Silica in a Polyvinylidene Fluoride Membrane: Membrane Development and Performance Modeling Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • AbstractMembrane distillation (MD) performance in seawater desalination can be improved by enhancing the material properties (hydrophobicity, porosity) and process parameters (feed flow rate, temperature). In this study, the effects of hydrophobic silica loading on the properties and MD performance of a polyvinylidene difluoride‐based membrane in seawater desalination were investigated, and a sensitivity analysis (temperature gradient, feed flow rate, salinity) was performed. Incorporation of hydrophobic silica improved the hydrophobicity of the membrane. Higher filler loading increased the number of surface pores while maintaining their size. This resulted in improved flux compared with the neat membrane while maintaining high salt rejection. The optimized membrane was 73 % more efficient than the neat membrane.

authors

  • Sze Yin, Grace Gan
  • Aqilah, Nur Fatin
  • Mat Nawi, Normi Izati
  • Mohd Hizam, Shafiq
  • Sapiaa @ Md Nordin, Nik Abdul Hadi bin
  • Bilad, Muhammad Roil
  • Adi Putra, Zulfan
  • Jaafar, Juhana
  • Yusof, Norhaniza
  • Hamid, Nurfaizey Abdul
  • Mokhtar, Nadzirah Mohd

publication date

  • 2023

number of pages

  • 11

start page

  • 1005

end page

  • 1016

volume

  • 46

issue

  • 5