FUNCTIONALIZED TITANIUM DIOXIDE NANOPARTICLES - NYLON 6 NANOCOMPOSITE MEMBRANE FOR IMPROVED SALT REJECTION UNDER LOW PRESSURE WATER NANOFILTRATION

Abstract

In this paper, (Nylon-6) spider-net containing (dioxide titanium) nanoparticles were electro spun to produce nanofiber membrane with (TiO2 NPs). Characterization of the nanofiber membrane containing (TiO2 NPs) were done by (SEM) and (EDX) analyses. Pure (Nylon-6) nanofibers with an average diameter of (139 nm) were produced while (TiO2) additive gives membrane (Nylon/TiO2) with an average nanofibers diameter of (123 nm). (TiO2 NPs) with small amounts in (Nylon-6) solution were found which improve the hydrophilicity (antifouling effect) with water contact angle (5.7º), pure water flux (4800.45 Lm-2h-1) and mechanical strength (7.075 MPa). It was concluded that (Nylon-6/TiO2) antimicrobial (spider-net) which considered as a composite membrane with antifouling effect can be used in water filter applications. An improvement in the produced membrane mechanical strength was reached, also, rejection test of salt was achieved with rejection percentage of (76) and (71) for (Pb(NO3)2) and (NaCl) respectively.