Volume 42, Issue 12 pp. 2700-2708
Research Article

Impact of Organic Solvents on Physicochemical Properties of Nanofiltration and Reverse-Osmosis Membranes

Katia Rezzadori

Corresponding Author

Katia Rezzadori

Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Institute of Food Science and Technology, Department of Food Technology, 91501-970 Porto Alegre, Brazil

Correspondence: Katia Rezzadori ([email protected]), Department of Food Technology, Institute of Food Science and Technology, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, 91501-970 Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.Search for more papers by this author
Frederico M. Penha

Frederico M. Penha

University of São Paulo, Polytechnic School, Department of Chemical Engineering, Av. Prof. Luciano Gualberto, trav.3, n.380, 05508-010 São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

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Mariane C. Proner

Mariane C. Proner

Federal University of Santa Catarina, Department of Chemical and Food Engineering, 88040-900 Florianopolis, Brazil

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Guilherme Zin

Guilherme Zin

Federal University of Santa Catarina, Department of Chemical and Food Engineering, 88040-900 Florianopolis, Brazil

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José C. C. Petrus

José C. C. Petrus

Federal University of Santa Catarina, Department of Chemical and Food Engineering, 88040-900 Florianopolis, Brazil

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Marco Di Luccio

Marco Di Luccio

Federal University of Santa Catarina, Department of Chemical and Food Engineering, 88040-900 Florianopolis, Brazil

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First published: 20 August 2019
Citations: 16

Abstract

Polymeric membranes subjected to the permeation of n-hexane were characterized and the influence of pretreatment with ethanol on the properties of the membranes was studied to assess membrane performance and stability. The results suggest that the selectivity of the membrane depends not only on the pore size, but also to a great extent on the interaction between solvent and polymer. An increase in membrane roughness and contact angle was observed for all membranes after pretreatment with ethanol and n-hexane permeation. Moreover, the surface free energy decreased after solvents exposure, indicating an increase in membrane surface hydrophobicity and polymer swelling. The studied membranes show feasibility of use for the recovery of solvents, if suitable process parameters are selected.

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