Synthesis and characterization of high flux and antibacterial film nanocomposite based on epoxy-zeolite NaA

Abstract

A high flux thin-film nanocomposite membrane epoxy/ zeolite NaA nanocomposite films prepared by using ultrasonic mixing and spin coating. The synthesized nanocomposites film was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermal gravity analysis (TGA), and FTIR spectroscopy. Water softener and water flux characteristics of the epoxy/ zeolite NaA nanocomposite film investigated. The results show the water softener, and hydraulic permeability of the membranes, remarkably improve by the wt.% of the zeolite NaA loading. Antibacterial activity was investigated by use modification of zeolite NaA with silver ions (Ag+) and copper ions (Cu2+) for nanocomposite.The target of this work was to expand the thin high-performance nanocomposite membranes with the combination of the zeolite NaA and epoxy polymer for effective calcium removal from water also to improve the water permeability at the same time. NaA zeolite ion exchange with silver and copper were used to improve the anti-bacterial nanocomposite membrane.