Novel TiO(2)/GO-Al(2)O(3) Hollow Fiber Nanofiltration Membrane for Desalination and Lignin Recovery

Due to its greater physical–chemical stability, ceramic nanofiltration (NF) membranes were used in a number of industrial applications. In this study, a novel NF membrane was prepared by co-depositing a titanium dioxide (TiO(2)) and graphene oxide (GO) composite layer directly onto a porous α-Al(2)O(3) hollow fiber (HF) support. An 8 µm-thick TiO(2)/GO layer was deposited to the surface of α-Al2O3 HF support by vacuum deposition method to produce advanced TiO(2)/GO-Al(2)O(3) HF NF membrane. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) micrographs, energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric analyzer (TGA), porosity, 3-point bending strength, zeta potential analysis, and hydrophilic properties by water contact angle are used for TiO(2)/GO-Al(2)O(3) HF NF membrane characterization. The results show that the developed membrane’s MWCO ranged from 600 to 800 Da. The water flux, rejection of lignin, and sodium ions were 5.6 L/m(2) h·bar, ~92.1%, and ~5.5%, respectively. In a five-day NF process, the TiO(2)/GO-Al(2)O(3) HF NF membrane exhibits good lignin permeation stability of about 14.5 L/m(2) h.