Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 23, 2025
10:19
Three-Dimensionally Printed Microfluidic Cross-flow System for Ultrafiltration/Nanofiltration Membrane Performance Testing
Published on: February 13, 2016
11.5K
3D Natural Mesoporous Biosilica-Embedded Polysulfone Made Ultrafiltration Membranes for Application in Separation
Murali Krishna Paidi1,2, Veerababu Polisetti1,3, Krishnaiah Damarla1
1CSIR-Central Salt and Marine Chemicals Research Institute, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), GB Marg, Bhavnagar 364002, India.
Polymers
|May 14, 2022
Summary
Researchers extracted biosilica from diatom waste to create polysulfone (PSF) membranes. These diatomite-filled membranes show improved water permeability and high rejection rates for proteins and pharmaceuticals, aiding water recycling.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Environmental Science
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Diatoms are abundant microalgae in aquatic environments.
- Spent diatom biomass is a potential source for valuable materials.
- Developing sustainable filtration membranes is crucial for water treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To extract inorganic biosilica from spent diatom biomass.
- To fabricate polysulfone (PSF)/diatomite composite membranes.
- To evaluate the performance of these membranes for filtration applications.
Main Methods:
- Acid digestion of spent diatom biomass (Thalassiosira lundiana) for biosilica extraction.
- Incorporation of extracted diatomite into polysulfone membranes via phase inversion.
- Characterization using SEM-EDX, TGA, and ATR-IR.
- Performance evaluation including water flux, protein, and pharmaceutical rejection.
Main Results:
- Increased diatomite content enhanced membrane porosity and hydrophilicity.
- PSF/diatomite membranes exhibited improved water permeability (up to 806.8 LMH).
- High rejection rates achieved for BSA protein (98.5%), rhodamine 6G (94.8%), ampicillin (75.84%), and neomycin (85.88%).
Conclusions:
- Mesoporous biosilica extracted from diatom waste can be effectively used in composite membranes.
- These membranes show promise for efficient wastewater treatment and water recycling.
- Utilizing biogenic silica offers a sustainable approach for advanced filtration technologies.
