Synthesis and characterization of carbon nanotube membranes for water treatment

This work presents the synthesis and characterization of carbon nanotube (CNT) incorporated polyethersulfone (PES) membranes. Firstly, CNTs were prepared via a nebulized spray pyrolysis of toluene (carbon source) and ferrocene (catalyst) mixture at a temperature of 850 0C. The CNTs produced were then purified and functionalized by acid treatment to aid their interaction with the solvent and polymer during membrane preparation. Characterization techniques used for CNTs include scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis, Raman spectroscopy analysis, thermogravimetric analysis and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy analysis. The outer diameters of CNTs measured from SEM micrographs using Image J software were in the range of 10 – 14 nm. TGA analysis revealed that the CNTs undergo complete thermal degradation after acid treatment; i.e. no catalyst particle residues were detected after 600 0C. Please click Additional Files below to see the full abstract