Buckminsterfullerene (C60) nanoparticle fouling of microfiltration membanes in water reuse applications: Effects on membrane performance, fouling mechanism identifaction, and membrane cleaning evaluation

Droughts and population growth have led many municipalities to explore water reuse as an option for augmenting existing freshwater supplies. During water reuse microfiltration membrane processes are used for suspended solids and biological materials removal prior to downstream processes. Despite advances in membrane material development and process design membrane fouling persists as a significant challenge. This project assessed the impacts of nanoparticle fouling on membrane performance in a water reuse application, in addition to characterizing the mechanisms associated with this type of fouling. The effectiveness of mechanical and chemical cleaning protocols on restoring the performance of nanoparticle fouled membranes was also evaluated. Nanoparticles resulted in a severe loss of membrane performance and formed recalcitrant deposits on both the membrane surface and interior membrane structure. Nanoparticle fouling was found to be a function of solution chemistry (pH, ionic strength), with deposition largely controlled by electrostatic interactions.