A Sequential Use of UV/H2O2 – (PSF/TiO2/MWCNT) Mixed Matrix Membranes for Removal of Dye from Aqueous Solution

Performance of a hybrid UV/H₂O₂ – Mixed matrix membrane system for an azo dye, Acid Black 1 [AB1], removal in a water purification process was studied. Different mixed matrix membranes embedded with titanium dioxide (TiO₂) nanoparticles, multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT), and a mixture of them were fabricated by the phase inversion method. Mixed matrix membranes embedded with MWCNTs resulted in higher pure water flux, and mixed matrix membranes embedded with TiO₂ showed lower flux declines in the presence of AB1. However, all the membranes exhibited very low Total Organic Carbon (TOC) rejection and none of the mixed matrix membranes could decolorize the AB1 solution. UV/H₂O₂ pretreatment of the AB1 solution resulted in enhanced TOC rejection, decolorization and enhanced anti-fouling membrane behavior. Combining UV/H₂O₂ with each type of polysulfone (PSF) mixed matrix membranes (PSF/TiO₂, PSF/MWCNT and PSF/TiO₂/MWCNT) resulted in optimal performance in terms of permeation, flux decline, antifouling, rejection and decolorization. The hybrid process of UV/H₂O₂-PSF/TiO₂/MWCNT mixed matrix membrane resulted in 270 (L.m^-2.h^-1) permeation, 29% flux decline, 90% TOC rejection, 99% decolorization and 99% Flux Recovery Ratio (FRR %).