ABSTRACT
In this research, hybrid membranes of polyamide6 (PA6) with 1%, 3% and 5% of clay were obtained in the form of thin films by phase inversion technique. The hybrid membranes were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP) and contact angle. By XRD, it was revealed that the hybrid membranes suggest an exfoliated and/or partially exfoliated structure. The FTIR spectra of hybrid membranes remained unchanged, except for the increase in the intensity of the peaks at 800, 1033 and 1095 cm−1 probably related to the octahedral layer and the stretching vibration of Si-O-Si clay group. By DSC, it was observed that there was almost no change in the crystalline melting temperature of the hybrid membrane to the pure PA6 membrane. By SEM photomicrographs, it was illustrated the obtaining of asymmetric microporous membranes with the formation of a filter skin and a porous support along the cross-section. Furthermore, the addition of the clay led to an increase in the amount and in the uniform distribution of the pores at the surface and cross section of these membranes. For MIP, it was observed that the presence of clay in the membrane caused an increase in average pore diameters. By means of the contact angle, it was found that the hybrid membranes showed higher contact angles for distilled water as compared to the angles obtained from the synthetic oil. The obtained hybrid membranes showed morphology with adequate porosity for use in microfiltration processes.
Keywords:
asymmetric membrane; morphology; hybrid; microfiltration
