Process synthesis and optimization of SiO2/PVDF mixed-matrix membrane for oil-water emulsion separation

In this study, and optimized silicon oxide (SiO2)/polyvinyledene fluoride (PVDF) mixed-matrix membrane formulation was developed using response surface methodology (RSM). SiO2 nanoparticles (NPs) concentration (1-3%), silane solution concentration (1:100-3:100 ratio of silane to ethanol) and duration of silanization process (240-600 s) were identified as the factor in affecting the membrane performance, both permeate flux and rejection. The synthesized membranes were characterized in terms of membrane pore size, porosity, surface roughness, and surface wettability. The optimum SiO2/PVDF mixed-matrix membrane formulation was obtained with 2.9% SiO2 NPs concentration, 2.22:100 ratio of silane to ethanol, with 496 seconds of salination process duration. The optimum SiO2/PVDF mixed-matrix membrane formulation exhibited an extraordinarily high oil droplets rejection (92.01%) with 27.57 L/m(2) h of permeate flux at 1 bar of operating pressure.