Author/Authors :
Jafari ، Ali نويسنده , , Mahvi، Amir Hossein نويسنده Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health; National Institute of Health Research; Center for Solid Waste Research, Institute fo , , Nasseri، Simin نويسنده 1Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health and Institute for Environmental Research, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , , Rashidi، Alimorad نويسنده , , Nabizadeh، Ramin نويسنده Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran , , Rezaee، Reza نويسنده Kurdistan Environmental Health Research Center, Kurdistan University of Medical Sciences, Sanandaj, Iran ,
Abstract :
In this study vertically aligned carbon nanotubes (VA-CNT) was grown on anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) substrate. The
synthesized AAO-CNT membrane was characterized using Raman spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron
microscopy (FESEM), contact angle and BET. The pure water flux, humic acid (HA) (as representative of natural organic
matters) rejection and fouling mechanism were also evaluated. The fabricated membrane has pore density of 1.3 × 1010
pores per cm2, average pore size of 20 ± 3 nm and contact angle of 85 ± 8o. A significant pure water flux of 3600 ±
100 L/m2.h was obtained at 1 bar of pressure by this membrane due to the frictionless structure of CNTs. High contact
angle exhibited the hydrophobic property of the membrane. It was revealed that HA is primarily rejected by adsorption
in the membrane pores due to hydrophobic interactions with HA. Flux decline occurred rapidly through both cross
flow and dead end filtration of the HA. Based on the blocking laws, internal pore constriction is dominant fouling
mechanism in which HA adsorbs in membrane pores results in pores blockage and flux decline.
