The Effect of Curing Temperature on the Performance of Thin Film Composite Membrane

Abstract

Kesan suhu rawatan pada prestasi membran komposit dikaji menggunakan dua jenis membran penyokong polimer iaitu selulosa asetat dan polisulfona. Larutan fasa akuas disediakan dengan melarutkan m–fenildiamina, tetrabutilammonium bromida, natrium hidroksida dan hidroquinon berdasarkan komposisi di dalam air suling. Larutan fasa organik disediakan dengan melarutkan trimesil klorida dalam n–heksana. Membran komposit disediakan dengan menggunakan kaedah pempolimeran antara muka. Pempolimeran berlaku dalam fasa organik melalui tindak balas antara muka antara m–fenildiamina, hidrokuinon dan trimesil klorida untuk menghasilkan rangkaian poliesteramida. Suhu rawatan di dalam julat 40°C hingga 100°C digunakan dalam oven semasa proses tindakbalas antara muka. Penilaian prestasi membran komposit terhadap kadar penyingkiran garam dan fluks dilakukan menggunakan sel penelapan ringkas. Hasil uji kaji menunjukkan membran komposit selulosa asetat dengan suhu rawatan 60°C menunjukkan kadar penyingkiran terbaik sebanyak 76% manakala membran komposit polisulfona dengan suhu rawatan 80°C memberikan kadar penyingkiran yang terbaik sebanyak 80%. Kata kunci: Membran lapisan komposit, fasa organik, fasa akuas, suhu rawatan The effect of curing temperature on the performance of thin film composite membranes was studied using two different kinds of polymeric membrane supports, i.e. cellulose acetate and polysulfone. Aqueous phase solution was prepared by dissolving m–phenyldiamine, tetrabutylammonium bromide, sodium hydroxide and hydroquinone based on the composition in distilled water. Organic phase was prepared by dissolving trimesoyl chloride in n–hexane. Polymerization occurred in the organic phase by interfacial reaction of m–phenyldiamine with the presence of trimesoyl chloride to form polyesteramides. Curing temperatures ranging from 40° to 100°C were used in the air–circulated oven during the interfacial reaction process. The performances of the thin film composite membranes in terms of salt rejection and permeation rate were evaluated using the permeation cell. The results showed that cellulose acetate thin film composite membrane cured at 60°C gives the best rejection rate of 76% whilst polysulfone thin film composite membrane cured at 80°C gives the highest rejection rate of 80%. Key words: Thin film composite membrane, aqueous phase, organic phase, curing temperature