Abstract: in this study, Zinc doped aluminum oxide (Zn:Al2O3) nanoparticles (NPs) were incorporated with polysulfone (PSf) to prepare mixed matrix membranes for heavy metal removal and enhanced antifouling property. The doped nanoparticles were prepared following a simple in-situ solution combustion method with surface area of 261.44 m2/g-1 with approximately 50 nm in size. Cross sectional SEM images and porosity study revealed the finger like morphology and porous nature of the composites respectively. The study of membranes water uptake, and contact angle measurement deliberated the increased hydrophilicity owed to the blending of Doped NPs. Heavy metal (arsenic and lead) removal and the key parameters namely pressure, filler (Zn:Al2O3) concentration and BSA protein were studied elaborately. Maximum rejection of >87% for Arsenic and >98% for Lead with an average flux of 22 L/m2h and 24 L/m2h at 1 bar pressure was accomplished respectively. The excess negative charge provided by the Zn:Al2O3 NPs delivered excellent flux recovery ratio (FRR) of 98.41% and reusability up to 3 continuous cycles.
Nayak Vignesh Vittal. “Fabrication of Zn:Al2O3/PSf nanocomposite membranes for enhanced antifouling property and heavy metal removal”.