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  Scopus ID: 21100926589

Improving Water Flux Using Agave Reinforcement in Polymeric Membranes

Jweshvari V. Tupe, Divya Padmanabhan and S. M. Khot

Abstract

When it comes to water on earth, the phrase “Water, water, everywhere” is true. Only 3% of the water available on earth’s surface is potable. Climate change, global warming, and the increase in population are reducing freshwater availability day by day. Desalination and filtration can be improved to reduce these challenges. Every human being has a fundamental right to get clean water. The creation of low-cost water filtering methods can accomplish this. In contrast to commonly utilised membranes made of carbon nanotubes, low-cost membranes created in this work have improved water permeability. The polysulfone (PSF) base material, N-Methyl-2 Pyrrolidone (NMP) solvent, polyvinyl pyrrolidone (PVP) pore former, and a few additional powders were used to create the composite membranes. The key factor in water filtration using membrane technology is the membrane’s pore size. Mango leaves, date palm leaves, maize fibers, coconut coir, and coconut coir ash have all been employed as naturally occurring fibers in membranes. A medicinal plant called agave was used as an adjuvant in this experiment. Three dope solutions were created, containing 0.05%, 0.1%, and 0.15% weight of agave powders. These amounts were proportional to the total volume of the dope solution. At room temperature and a pressure of 2 bar, the membrane’s water permeability was examined. The membrane with the highest water permeability contained 0.15 wt.% of additive powder. This membrane had a water permeability of 743.38 LMH. To assess the pore size, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was employed. The study demonstrates the potential of low cost composite membranes with enhanced water permeability, offering promising prospects for more efficient and affordable water filtration methods to alleviate the escalating global water crisis.

Published on: March 21, 2024
doi: 10.17756/nwj.2024-s1-047
Citation: Tupe JV, Padmanabhan D, Khot SM. 2024. Improving Water Flux Using Agave Reinforcement in Polymeric Membranes. NanoWorld J 10(S1): S265-S269.

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