Novel polyphenylsulfone (PPSU)/nano tin oxide (SnO₂) mixed matrix ultrafiltration hollow fiber membranes: Fabrication, characterization and toxic dyes removal from aqueous solutions

Novel polyphenylsulfone (PPSU)/nano tin oxide (SnO₂) mixed matrix hollow fiber membranes (HFMs) were fabricated by dry-wet spinning via phase separation method. In the current research, reported the contrast between neat PPSU membrane and nanocomposite membranes (PPSU/SnO₂), to determine the toxic reactive dyes namely, reactive black-5 (RB-5) and reactive orange-16 (RO-16) removal ability from the aqueous media. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to observe the HFMs cross-sectional morphological changes and surface roughness parameters of membranes were analyzed using atomic force microscopy (AFM). The surface wettability ability of HFMs was examined with a contact angle, water uptake, and porosity measurements. The cross-flow filter unit was engaged to quantify the water permeability, anti-fouling ability as well as the dye rejection ability of fabricated membranes. With increasing the SnO₂ NPs wt% in PPSU polymer matrix the membrane performance was enhanced continuously, it became evident that the incorporated SnO₂ NPs plays main role in membrane performance. Added, water-soluble poly (vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) can also impact the pore morphology in membranes. At the end, PS-3 membrane exhibited lower contact angle (63.7 ⁰), higher water uptake (74.8%), porosity (84.1%), pure water flux 362.9 L/m² h, and high potential for dyes rejection application, of about >94% for RB-5, and >73% for RO-16 dye, respectively. From the preliminary results, it can be stated that the usage of SnO₂ NPs in membrane technology become effective towards wastewater treatment.