Treatment of textile dye effluents using a new polyacrylonitrile nanofiltration membrane developed by UV photo grafting

Abstract The purpose of this research work is to develop a new nanofiltration membrane based on polyacrylonitrile (PAN) by ultraviolet photografting using acrylic acid as a vinyl monomer. This work represents a novel lead for applying new resources in activating PAN‐based membranes for photopolymerization reaction. Compared to traditional techniques that could only use photoactive membrane substrates, this method is an efficient procedure that shows a new perspective. Acid red 114, an azo dye, was used as photoinitiator in membrane surface modification process. The influence of different parameters on the grafting process such as irradiation time and monomer concentration on the performances and the characteristics of the membranes were examined. The grafted membrane in optimal condition was also evaluated for the removal of different salt solutions and different anionic direct dyes with the aim of reusing the dye and water in the process. Characterization of the modified membrane is performed by AFM, SEM, contact angle, and zeta potential. The retention of Na 2 SO 4 , MgSO 4 , NaCl, and CaCl 2 salts was obtained as 76%, 63.2%, 29.4%, 23.3%, and the retention of coloured pollutants DB15, DR16, DO26, and DY12 was acquired as 96.3%, 92.5%, 91.3%, and 85%, respectively. Distilled water permeability of photo‐grafted membrane was 13 L · h −1 · m −2 · bar −1 .