Single-Step Surface Hydrophilization on Ultrafiltration Membrane with Enhanced Antifouling Property for Pome Wastewater Treatment

High organic materials in palm oil mill effluent (POME) can result serious water pollution. To date, biological treatment has been used to reduce the environmental risks of these effluents prior their discharge into streams. However, effluents’ dark brownish colour remains as a significant issue that must be addressed, it affects overall quality water. Although membrane technology frequently address difficulties, fouling become limitation POME treatment. On other hand, zwitterions with balanced charge groups have received growing interest fabrication antifouling membranes due hydrated nature. The development simple and efficient covalent bonding technique improve stability on surfaces challenge. By grafting co-depositing polyethylenimine (PEI)-based zwitterion (Z-PEI) super hydrophilic polydopamine (PDA) surface commercial polysulfone (PSf) ultrafiltration at ambient temperature, new zwitterionic neutral was created (PDA/Z-PEI). This study aims investigate effect different loading ratios PDA/Z-PEI (1:1, 1:2, 1:3) evaluate performance treating coloured anaerobically treated (AT-POME). SEM FTIR analysis showed successful incorporation while feature is indicated by zeta potential analysis. Water flux demonstrated lower achieved for M-ZPEI compared PSf PSf-MDPA membranes, attributed tight skin layer PDA-ZPEI. In hydration zwitterions, excellent capabilities, particularly ratio (1:2) recovery around 84% rejection 81.75%. Overall, this research contributes unique coating improved properties altering reliable manner.