Functionalized Halloysite Nanotubes and Graphene Oxide Nanosheets Fillers Incorporated in UF Membranes for Oil/Water Separation

Novel ultrafiltration mixed matrix membranes combined by dual nanofillers Graphene Oxide + Functionalized Halloysite Nanotubes (GO/FHNTs) were prepared. In this work, we improved the performance and properties of polycarbonate-based membranes for oil/water separation applications. The morphology and other properties of the fabricated membranes were characterized by different analytical method including Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), contact angle goniometer, and mechanical strength apparatus. The obtained results confirmed that addition of GO/FHNTs had a positive effect on hydrophilicity and tensile strength. Also, the water permeation of the optimum GO0.25-FHNT0.75 membrane was about 2.5 times more than pure polycarbonate. Overall results showed that all membranes reached 100% oil separation efficiency at various ultrafiltration times. Furthermore, the optimum membrane showed a flux recovery ratio of more than 90% where the permeate fluxes of feed solutions with 100 ppm and 200 ppm olive oil concentrations were reduced to only about 5.5% and 6% after three regeneration cycles, respectively.