Study on polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF)/graphene oxide (GO) mixed matrix membrane for monoethanolamine (MEA) removal from aqueous solution / Chong Juin Therng

Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering Technology

Final Year Report (Bachelor of Chemical Engineering ) -- Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah - 2025

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This study explores the development and application of Polyvinylidene Fluoride (PVDF)/Graphene Oxide (GO) mixed matrix membranes for the removal of Monoethanolamine (MEA) from aqueous solutions. The significant environmental impact of amine-rich wastewater, a byproduct of carbon capture processes, necessitates innovative treatment solutions. Mixed Matrix Membranes (MMMs) offer a promising approach due to their enhanced separation capabilities combining the beneficial properties of polymers and inorganic fillers. PVDF and GO were chosen for their complementary attributes—PVDF's chemical resistance and GO's mechanical strength and permeability enhancement. The membranes were fabricated with a phase inversion process using 20 – 30 wt% of PVDF polymer and characterized through Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and contact angle measurements. Performance evaluation focused on MEA rejection efficiency using 100 ppm and water permeability under varying weight ratios. The results show the MEA rejection (9.0869%) and the water permeability (14.2584 Lm−2h−1bar−1) is the best for the NMP: PVDF: GO Mixed Matrix Membrane with the highest GO ratio which is 0.70: 0.22: 0.08. The findings indicate that PVDF/GO MMMs exhibit significant potential for effective MEA removal, contributing to more sustainable wastewater management practices and supporting broader environmental conservation efforts. In addition to the standard characterization methods, more advanced techniques like X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), dynamic light scattering (DLS), or molecular simulations could be used to better understand the interactions between GO and the PVDF polymer matrix, as well as the influence of GO on the membrane’s performance at a molecular level. Future research should focus on scaling up the membrane fabrication process to evaluate its performance in real-world industrial settings. Testing the long-term durability and efficiency of these membranes under actual wastewater conditions, which often involve complex mixtures of contaminants, will be essential. Keywords: Mixed Matrix Membrane; Amine Rejection; Water Permeability