Magnetic rod induced asymmetric membrane: Effect of iron oxide composition to phenol removal by adsorption

Particle migration within membranes with different iron oxide compositions was prepared by traditional casting under direct exposure to a magnetic rod. Membrane with 30 wt% of iron oxide (M30) has shown a high concentration of Fe element within its thin layer compared to other membranes with lower iron oxide content. The high Fe element in the M30 thin layer has contributed to its porous structure (58.9% porosity), the most porous among the membranes. Hence, it explained the high water flux of the M30 membrane at 75.4 L/m2.h, while the pristine N0 membrane only managed 20.1 L/m2.h. Due to particle migration towards the membrane surface, all magnetically induce membrane were able to obtain a contact angle below 70⁰, characteristic of a hydrophilic surface. Moreover, due to the accumulation of iron oxide as a result of magnetic casting, the M3 membrane was able to remove 14.1% of phenol with a sieving coefficient of 0.86. To conclude, magnetic induce casting has the capability of orienting and migrating the iron oxide within the membrane matrix without the need for an additional chemical or complicated procedure. [Display omitted] •A permanent magnet in rod arrangement is utilized to induce iron oxide migration within the membrane.•Accumulation of iron oxide within the thin layer contributes to a highly porous structure and excellent water flux.•Membrane with 12 wt% iron oxide has the best phenol adsorption as a function of its flux.