Separation of Oil-Water Emulation with High Efficiency Using Mixed Matrix Microfiltration Modified Membrane

FSM-16 mesoporous silica modified with metformin (FSM-16-Met) is known as a suitable additive for membrane modification in order to obtain a modified membrane with anti-fouling capability for highly efficient oily wastewater treatment. In this research, the production of polyether sulfone microfiltration membranes was done using an efficient modification process. The modified membrane with FSM-16-Met nanoparticles showed excellent fouling resistance, while maintaining a high net water transfer efficiency of more than 150 kg/m2.h without significant oil infiltration. The optimal modified membrane PES/FSM-16-Met had a high net water flux of 156.07 kg/m2.h and a low contact angle compared with the unmodified membrane (respectively 79.8 and 46.25 for the unmodified and was the modified optimum). Also, the flux recovery ratio is more than 97% and the ability to resist clogging is Rir = 79.58 and Rir = 2.13%, respectively, for unmodified and modified membranes during filtration at different concentrations of oily feed (300 and 500 mg/l). It was one of the features obtained in this study. Overall, this work provides insight into efficient polymer membrane modifications with very low oil cake layer formation on the membrane surface, which shows great potential for industrial-scale oily wastewater treatment in the future.