Fabrication of polystyrene (PS)/cyclohexanol-based carbon nanotubes (CNTs) mixed matrix membranes for vacuum membrane distillation application

In this work, for the first time, carbon nanotubes (CNTs) with hydrophobic nature were used as an appropriate nanofiller to fabricate polystyrene (PS)/CNTs mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) vacuum membrane distillation (VMD) application, successfully. At first, effect of PS concentration on performance prepared was investigated. As a novelty, back neat also evaluated. Subsequently, at optimized (15 wt%), CNTs content PS/CNTs MMMs FESEM, FTIR, AFM, Tensile strength and water contact angle analyzes performed characterize MMMs. Increased porosity average pore size improved mechanical properties observed compared membranes. It found that cyclohexanol-based high hydrophobicity unique physicochemical could improve in VMD application. On other hand, oxygen atom cyclohexanol structure facilitates dispersion organic solvents polymeric matrices improves transport properties. Compared (WCA) 80.21° flux 2.5 L/m2.h, MMM incorporated 1 wt% raw (optimum membrane) WCA 91.64° 34.78 L/m2.h improved, significantly. Also, it liquid entry pressure (LEP) is higher than Finally, study influences some operating parameters performance, Taguchi experimental design method applied.