Applied Chemical Engineering

Sustainable development of recycled ultrafiltration membranes with bio-based antifouling coatings

Rr. Dewi Putri

Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Semarang 50229, Indonesia

Maharani Kusumaningrum

Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Semarang 50229, Indonesia

Ima Winaningsih

Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Semarang 50229, Indonesia

Nisrina Hasna Nabil

Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Semarang 50229, Indonesia

Adhika Bintang Syahputra

Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Semarang 50229, Indonesia

Shandy Alif Fahrezi

Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Semarang 50229, Indonesia

Nathan Aditya

Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Semarang 50229, Indonesia

Ridha Suryaning Sukma

Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Semarang 50229, Indonesia

Shofiah Zulfa Putri

Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Negeri Semarang, Semarang 50229, Indonesia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.59429/ace.v9i2.5923

Keywords: End-of-Life RO Membrane; Recycled Ultrafiltration; Antifouling Coating; SDG 6; SDG 12

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Abstract

Fouling in Reverse Osmosis (RO) membranes reduces filtration efficiency and shortens membrane lifespan, generating significant end-of-life (EoL) waste. This study developed recycled ultrafiltration (UF) membranes from EoL RO membranes with natural chitosan-based antifouling coatings containing garlic, lime, and green tea extracts. The process involved RO cleaning, sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) treatment for UF conversion, coating application, and performance evaluation via permeability, salt and humic acid rejection, and water contact angle tests. The chitosan-garlic (0.4 g, 30s immersion) coating achieved the best antifouling performance, showing the lowest contact angle (40.7°) and high rejection rates for humic acid and salts. Increasing coating duration from 30 s to 3 h improved salt rejection (e.g., Na₂SO₄ rejection increased from ~18% to ~34.9%) but reduced permeability due to pore narrowing. This approach improves membrane antifouling capability while supporting SDGs 3,6,9, and 12 by promoting sustainable water treatment and waste reduction.

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