Cellulosic Based Membranes from Synthesis to Typical Pollutants Removal

Cellulose acetate CA, CA / PEG, CA / SiO2, and CA / PEG / SiO2 based membranes were synthesized for the removal of humic acid and bovine serum albumin BSA by ultrafiltration process. The different membranes were elaborated by phase inversion using DMF as solvent and water as non-solvent. The measurements of the contact angle of these membranes show that their hydrophilic character increases by the addition of SiO2 and polyethylene glycol PEG as hydrophilic polymer (additive). Thus, the CA/PEG / SiO2 membrane is the most hydrophilic one with a contact angle of 42°. The characterization of the synthesized membranes using FTIR- ATR allows us to highlight new interactions due to the insertion of silica particles in the membrane as well as the possibility of hydrogen bond formation between PEG and cellulose acetate. The membrane CA / PEG / SiO2 has the highest porosity value as well as the highest equilibrium water content. Thus, the addition of additives such as SiO2 and the hydrophilic polyethylene glycol PEG polymer improve the hydrophilicity of the initial CA membrane. The maximum retention of humic acid by CA/SiO2 membrane is off 92.59% for a pH of 4 and 0.5 g / L salinity. The gradual decrease in pure water fluxes of all membranes over time due to pore compaction and steady state fluxes was achieved approximately after 90 minutes of ultrafiltration process.