Assist. Prof. Dr. Basma Ismail Hussein and Sura Math Saud, who are faculty members at the college of engineering, have recently obtained a patent for the preparation of a double-layer membrane with polymeric nanofibers (PAN-PMMA) made with high resistance to sediment formed during the treatment of water contaminated with emulsified oil.
Anti-fouling membrane has taken a great attention for researchers in the field of water purification applications. In this research work, a double-nanofiber membrane (PAN-PMMA) woven by electrospinning technology and it was manufactured using two types of Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) polymers. A series of double nanofiber membranes were manufactured using different ratios of PAN & PMMA and then then necessary tests regarding surface formation and chemical composition were carried out using electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Also chemical functional groups on the membrane surface were detected using Fourier transform infrared that is the most common form of infrared spectroscopy. The membrane surface roughness and wetness were measured using an Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) and the Contact Angle. The efficiency of the nanofiber membranes prepared by the separation of oil/emulsified water was then tested using a Cross-Flow Filtration System. The results showed excellent improvement in sediment resistance and water permeability flow.
