Fabrication of zinc doped aluminium oxide/polysulfone mixed matrix membranes for enhanced antifouling property and heavy metal removal

International audience; Heavy metal removal from water resources is essential for environmental protection and the production of safe drinking water. In this direction, Zinc doped Aluminium Oxide (Zn:Al2O3) nanoparticles were incorporated into Polysulfone (PSf) to prepare mixed matrix membranes for the efficient removal of heavy metals from water. These Zn:Al2O3 nanoparticles prepared by the solution combustion method have a very high surface area (261.44 m2/g) with an approximate size of 50 nm. X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy analysis showed that the Al and Zn were in +3 and + 2 oxidation states, respectively. Cross-sectional Scanning Electron Microscopy images revealed the finger-like mo…