Dual-Mode Integration of a Composite Nanoparticle in PES Membranes: Enhanced Performance and Photocatalytic Potential
Polyethersulfone (PES) membranes are essential in separation processes; however, their inherent hydrophobicity can limit their effectiveness in water-intensive applications. This study aims to enhance PES membranes by modifying them with a NiFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub>–nanocl...
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2025-07-01
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| author | Rund Abu-Zurayk Nour Alnairat Haneen Waleed Aya Khalaf Duaa Abu-Dalo Ayat Bozeya Razan Afaneh |
| author_facet | Rund Abu-Zurayk Nour Alnairat Haneen Waleed Aya Khalaf Duaa Abu-Dalo Ayat Bozeya Razan Afaneh |
| author_sort | Rund Abu-Zurayk |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Polyethersulfone (PES) membranes are essential in separation processes; however, their inherent hydrophobicity can limit their effectiveness in water-intensive applications. This study aims to enhance PES membranes by modifying them with a NiFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub>–nanoclay composite nanoparticle to improve both their hydrophilicity and photocatalytic potential as a photocatalytic membrane. The nanoparticles were synthesized using the sol–gel auto-combustion method and incorporated into PES membranes through mixed-matrix embedding (1 wt% and 3 wt%) and surface coating. X-ray diffraction confirmed the cubic spinel structure of the composite nanoparticles, which followed the second order kinetic reaction during the photodegradation–adsorption of crystal violet. The mixed-matrix membranes displayed a remarkable 170% increase in water flux and a 25% improvement in mechanical strength, accompanied by a slight decrease in contact angle at 1 wt% of nanoparticle loading. In contrast, the surface-coated membranes demonstrated a significant reduction in contact angle to 18°, indicating a highly hydrophilic surface and increased roughness. All membranes achieved high dye removal rates of 98–99%, but only the coated membrane system exhibited approximately 50% photocatalytic degradation, following mixed kinetics. These results highlight the critical importance of surface modification in advancing PES membranes, as it significantly reduces fouling and enhances water–material interaction qualities essential for future filtration and photocatalytic applications. Exploring hybrid strategies that combine both embedding and coating approaches may yield even greater synergies in membrane functionality. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-1291ff8e61e64ccea003b6af2d7f85ff |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2079-4991 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nanomaterials |
| spelling | doaj-art-1291ff8e61e64ccea003b6af2d7f85ff2025-08-20T03:56:45ZengMDPI AGNanomaterials2079-49912025-07-011514105510.3390/nano15141055Dual-Mode Integration of a Composite Nanoparticle in PES Membranes: Enhanced Performance and Photocatalytic PotentialRund Abu-Zurayk0Nour Alnairat1Haneen Waleed2Aya Khalaf3Duaa Abu-Dalo4Ayat Bozeya5Razan Afaneh6Hamdi Mango Center for Scientific Research, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, JordanHamdi Mango Center for Scientific Research, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, JordanChemical Engineering Department, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, JordanAllied Sciences Department, Faculty of Arts and Sciences, Al-Ahliyya Amman University, Amman 19328, JordanBasic Pharmaceutical Science Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Middle East University, Amman 11831, JordanInstitute of Nanotechnology, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, JordanDepartment of Nanoscience, Joint School of Nanoscience and Nanoengineering, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC 27401, USAPolyethersulfone (PES) membranes are essential in separation processes; however, their inherent hydrophobicity can limit their effectiveness in water-intensive applications. This study aims to enhance PES membranes by modifying them with a NiFe<sub>2</sub>O<sub>4</sub>–nanoclay composite nanoparticle to improve both their hydrophilicity and photocatalytic potential as a photocatalytic membrane. The nanoparticles were synthesized using the sol–gel auto-combustion method and incorporated into PES membranes through mixed-matrix embedding (1 wt% and 3 wt%) and surface coating. X-ray diffraction confirmed the cubic spinel structure of the composite nanoparticles, which followed the second order kinetic reaction during the photodegradation–adsorption of crystal violet. The mixed-matrix membranes displayed a remarkable 170% increase in water flux and a 25% improvement in mechanical strength, accompanied by a slight decrease in contact angle at 1 wt% of nanoparticle loading. In contrast, the surface-coated membranes demonstrated a significant reduction in contact angle to 18°, indicating a highly hydrophilic surface and increased roughness. All membranes achieved high dye removal rates of 98–99%, but only the coated membrane system exhibited approximately 50% photocatalytic degradation, following mixed kinetics. These results highlight the critical importance of surface modification in advancing PES membranes, as it significantly reduces fouling and enhances water–material interaction qualities essential for future filtration and photocatalytic applications. Exploring hybrid strategies that combine both embedding and coating approaches may yield even greater synergies in membrane functionality.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/15/14/1055mixed-matrix membranescoated membranesphotocatalytic membraneplasma treatmentflux |
| spellingShingle | Rund Abu-Zurayk Nour Alnairat Haneen Waleed Aya Khalaf Duaa Abu-Dalo Ayat Bozeya Razan Afaneh Dual-Mode Integration of a Composite Nanoparticle in PES Membranes: Enhanced Performance and Photocatalytic Potential Nanomaterials mixed-matrix membranes coated membranes photocatalytic membrane plasma treatment flux |
| title | Dual-Mode Integration of a Composite Nanoparticle in PES Membranes: Enhanced Performance and Photocatalytic Potential |
| title_full | Dual-Mode Integration of a Composite Nanoparticle in PES Membranes: Enhanced Performance and Photocatalytic Potential |
| title_fullStr | Dual-Mode Integration of a Composite Nanoparticle in PES Membranes: Enhanced Performance and Photocatalytic Potential |
| title_full_unstemmed | Dual-Mode Integration of a Composite Nanoparticle in PES Membranes: Enhanced Performance and Photocatalytic Potential |
| title_short | Dual-Mode Integration of a Composite Nanoparticle in PES Membranes: Enhanced Performance and Photocatalytic Potential |
| title_sort | dual mode integration of a composite nanoparticle in pes membranes enhanced performance and photocatalytic potential |
| topic | mixed-matrix membranes coated membranes photocatalytic membrane plasma treatment flux |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/15/14/1055 |
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