Enhancing the antibiofouling performance of RO membranes using Cu(OH)₂ as an antibacterial agent

详细信息    查看全文

• 作者：Hamed Karkhanechi ; Ryosuke Takagi ; Yoshikage Ohmukai ; Hideto Matsuyama
• 关键词：RO membrane ; Antibiofouling ; Copper hydroxide ; Inorganic antibacterial agent
• 刊名：Desalination
• 出版年：2013
• 出版时间：16 September, 2013
• 年：2013
• 卷：325
• 期：Complete
• 页码：40-47
• 全文大小：1165 K

文摘

Biofouling of reverse osmosis (RO) membranes used in water treatment processes is major obstacle to more widespread uptake of this technology. In this paper, a commercial RO membrane was modified by adsorption of copper hydroxide (Cu(OH)₂) particles to improve antibiofouling properties of the membrane. The adsorption of Cu(OH)₂ particles was confirmed by field emission scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy. The proportion of adsorbed Cu(OH)₂ particles was measured by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The antibacterial properties of the modified membranes were evaluated by a shake flask test with Escherichia coli (E. coli) and the antiadhesion properties were evaluated by an immersion test using Pseudomonas putida (P. putida). The Cu(OH)₂ modified membranes showed good antibacterial activity compared with the unmodified membrane. The antibacterial activity was attributed to release of Cu^2 + ions from Cu(OH)₂ particles adsorbed to the membrane. The antiadhesion properties of the membrane were improved by Cu(OH)₂ modification. This is attributed to an increase of the hydrophilicity and negative charge density of the membrane surface. The membrane modified with Cu(OH)₂ particles showed high antibiofouling performance, attributed to a combination of antibacterial and antiadhesion effects.