Cross-flow ultrafiltration of micellar solutions containing selected phenols

Abstract

Cross-flow ultrafiltration of micellar solutions containing phenols (phenol, 4-methylphenol, 4-chlorophenol, 2,4-dichlorophenol and 4-methoxyphenol) was studied. Oxyethylated coconut fatty acid methyl esters of an average oxyethylation degree of 10 and hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide were used as surfactants. It was found that the hydrophilic membranes made of cellulose and polyethersulfone were useful for repeated separation of phenols from micellar solutions containing oxyethylated fatty acid methyl esters and hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide. The membranes could be used several times because of the reversible blocking with surfactants. The rejection of phenols could be modelled by the Abraham linear solvation energy relationship. The pollutant hydrophobicity and basicity were the most important parameters affecting the rejection. Mixed micelles containing non-ionic and cationic surfactants improved solubilization of phenols and their rejection in membrane ultrafiltration.