Effect of Adding Mg(OH)<sub>2</sub> Additives to Polyethersulfone (PES) Hydrophobic Membranes

Polyether sulfone (PES) stands as a widely utilized polymeric membrane in separation technology. However, due to certain undesirable drawbacks encountered in its application, researchers consistently strive to enhance its characteristics and performance. In this study, we delve into the effects of Mg(OH) 2 addition on the characteristics and performance of PES membranes employed for humic acid removal from water. The membrane fabrication involves PES as the primary polymer, NMP as the solvent, and a blend of ethanol and water as non-solvents. Characterization of the membranes encompasses the assessment of functional groups via FTIR, morphological structure through SEM imaging, and porosity evaluation. Notably, the Mg(OH) 2 additive exerted a positive influence on the prepared PES membranes, leading to discernible alterations in the morphological structure, as evident in SEM cross-sectional images. The augmentation of Mg(OH) 2 concentration resulted in increased membrane porosity. The FTIR spectra revealed the presence of water derived from Mg(OH) 2 crystals. The research yielded notable results, with the most outstanding membrane exhibiting a pure water flux of 41.6 L/m2·h and a rejection rate of 71%. Furthermore, it displayed a Water Flux Recovery Ratio (FRR) of 72%. These findings underscore the effectiveness of incorporating Mg(OH) 2 as an additive in enhancing the performance of PES membranes for humic acid removal, with promising implications for water purification applications.