COSTA, Anna Raffaela Matos.; LEAL, Tânia Lúcia.; CARVALHO, Laura Hecker de.
Abstract:
The use of bentonite clays in polymer nanocomposites has received worlwide attention due to the
characteristics presented by these systems. In this work, the internal surfaces of ultra-high molecular weight
(UHMWPE) membranes were modified by impregnation with a solution obtained from HDPE/clay (natural
and organophilic) nanocomposites aiming to reduce UHMWPE membrane pore sizes. The modified
membranes were characterized by SEM, mercury porosimetry and performance (permeate flow through the
membrane and selectivity) which were measured using distilled watter and an oil/water dispersion. Our data
indicates that HDPE/organoclay film deposition led to significant reduction in permeate flux and that the
membranes were capable to reduce the amount of oil in the water to values lower than 20ppm which means
that this water can be used for oil well re-injection or even to be discarded in the environment.
