Application of Silver Nanoparticles in the Reverse Osmosis Membrane

Membrane biofouling constitutes a major obstacle to the application of membrane techniques such as reverse osmosis in the production of drinking water. In this study, the thin film nanocomposite (TFN) membrane consisting of silver nanoparticles with antibacterial capability on microorganismwas devised as a novel means to reduce membrane biofouling.Silver nanoparticles were prepared by sonochemical synthesis method using poly (vinylepyrrolidone) (PVP) as stabilizer and methaphenylenediamine (MPD) as reducing agents. The formation of the silver nanoparticles was monitored using ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy. Both thin film composite (TFC) membrane and thin film nanocomposite (TFN) membrane were hand-cast on performed polysulfone microfiltration (MF) membrane through interfacial polymerization. The surfaces of the membranes were characterized by scanning electronic microscopy (SEM).Theresults indicated that the thin film composite membrane without silver nanoparticles havesmoother surface andare denser than the TFN membrane consisting silver nanoparticles. Chemical analysis was performed with the use of energy dispersive X-ray (EDS). The EDS spectrum showsa sharp peak corresponding to silver

کلیدواژه ها:

Silver nanoparticles ، Reverse osmosis membrane ، Biofouling ، Interfacial polymerization