Abstract
This study explores the integration of zinc oxide coated with polyaniline (ZnO-PANI) nanoparticles into a poly(ether sulfone) (PES) matrix to concurrently enhance permeate flux and oleuropein (OLP) rejection during the filtration of olive leaf extract (OLE). The effect of ZnO-PANI content on porosity, pore size, surface hydrophilicity, and pure water flux (PWF) was studied. The results indicate that an increase in ZnO-PANI content (0-0.2%) leads to a 3-fold increase in mean pore size, permeability (1.29-7.18 L/m2 h bar), porosity (72.2-77.8%), and improved surface hydrophilicity of the prepared membranes. Membrane performance was tested for OLE permeate flux of the OLE and total phenolic compounds (TPC) rejection at various pressures (10-30 bar), the performance of the OLP rejection at 30 bar, and fouling resistance. The 0.2 wt % ZnO-PANI membrane exhibits the highest permeate flux, while the 0.4 wt % ZnO-PANI membrane offers the highest rejection values (90-97% for TPC and 100% for OLP). Bare PES demonstrated the best fouling resistance. Strategic ZnO-PANI incorporation achieves a balance, enhancing both the flux and rejection efficiency. The 0.2 wt % ZnO-PANI membrane emerges as particularly favorable, striking a beneficial equilibrium between permeate flux and OLP rejection. Intriguingly, the use of these membranes for OLE filtration, postpretreatment with ultrafiltration (UF), results in a remarkable 100% rejection of OLP. This discovery underscores the significant and specific separation of OLP from OLE facilitated by a ZnO-PANI-based mixed matrix membrane (MMM). The study contributes valuable insights into the development of advanced membranes with enhanced filtration capabilities for high-added value phenolic compound separation.