Performance optimization of PES/Bi2WO6-TiO2 mixed-matrix membranes for high-efficiency treatment of contaminated wastewater

Mixed-matrix membranes (MMMs) based on polyethersulfone (PES) incorporated with Bi2WO6/TiO2 nanocomposite were fabricated and evaluated for dye removal from aqueous solutions. Response surface methodology (RSM) combined with analysis of variance (ANOVA) was employed to model and simultaneously optimize permeate flux and dye rejection as dual performance responses. The effects of feed concentration (100–300 ppm), transmembrane pressure (2–6 bar), and nanocomposite loading (0–0.12 wt percent) were methodically examined. The relationship between operating variables and membrane performance was sufficiently explained by a quadratic regression model, and ANOVA was used to confirm statistical significance. A balanced optimum between flux and rejection was found at 100 ppm feed concentration, 4 bar pressure, and 0.06 wt percent nanocomposite loading, according to multi-response optimization. The membrane showed a dye rejection of 95.3% and a permeate flux of 40.8 LMH under these circumstances. Bi2WO6/TiO2 nanocomposite was added to the membrane to improve its hydrophilicity and transport characteristics, thereby increasing permeability without sacrificing selectivity. The outcomes show how well PES membranes are modified with nanocomposite work and how RSM can be used to simultaneously optimize membrane performance.