Green-synthesized DES/PES nanofiltration membranes with superior antibacterial and anti-fouling properties for algal wastewater treatment

Author Identifier (ORCID)

Ali Akbar Zinatizadeh: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0442-0841

Mehdi Khiadani: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1703-9342

Abstract

Membrane fouling and insufficient antibacterial activity remain critical challenges limiting the efficiency of polyethersulfone (PES) membranes in wastewater treatment. To overcome these limitations, this study introduces a novel and environmentally benign approach by incorporating a deep eutectic solvent (DES) synthesized from asparagine (Asn) and choline chloride (ChCl) into the PES matrix. The DES-modified membranes were fabricated via phase inversion and systematically characterized. Remarkably, even at a low loading of 0.1 wt%, the DES incorporation significantly enhanced membrane hydrophilicity and surface properties. This modification resulted in exceptional performance metrics: a pure water flux of 29.5 Kg/m2·h at 4 bar, a flux recovery ratio exceeding 99.5% during algal wastewater filtration, and a high dye rejection rate of 96.4%. Dual approaches were employed to confirm the DES's antibacterial properties. An agar diffusion test revealed significant inhibition zones were evident around the DES for both Escherichia coli ( E. coli ) and Staphylococcus aureus ( S. aureus ), with average halo diameters of 4.63 mm and 16.83 mm, respectively. Concurrently, bacterial suspension immersion and Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis demonstrated a marked decrease in bacterial colonization on the membrane surface compared to the control, underscoring the DES's potent antibacterial performance. In conclusion, this work establishes the ChCl-Asn DES as a highly effective green modifier, providing a practical pathway to develop PES membranes with integrated antifouling, antibacterial, and high-separation capabilities for advanced wastewater treatment applications.

Keywords

Alga wastewater, anti-fouling, antibacterial, asparagine, choline chloride, nanofiltration

Document Type

Journal Article

Date of Publication

5-1-2026

Volume

87

Publication Title

Journal of Water Process Engineering

Publisher

Elsevier

School

School of Engineering

Funders

Razi University / Iran Nanotechnology Initiative Council / Danab Knowledge-based Company

Comments

Moradi, M., Zinatizadeh, A. A., Zinadini, S., Khiadani, M., Oulad, F., Gholami, F., & Samari, M. (2026). Green-synthesized DES/PES nanofiltration membranes with superior antibacterial and anti-fouling properties for algal wastewater treatment. Journal of Water Process Engineering, 87, 110049. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwpe.2026.110049

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Link to publisher version (DOI)

10.1016/j.jwpe.2026.110049