This study aimed to develop composite membranes using recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) from plastic bottles and gum Arabic (GA) at concentrations of 1%, 3%, and 5% (w/w), employing the phase inversion method. The membranes were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), contact angle, equilibrium water content (EWC), porosity, average pore size, hydraulic permeability, and mechanical strength. Flux recovery, fouling analysis, and lignin rejection tests were also conducted, along with turbidity and conductivity measurements. The addition of GA resulted in more hydrophilic membranes with a spongy morphology and higher porosity. The contact angle decreased from 94 ° (pure PET) to 46.1 ° (PGA5), indicating a better affinity for water. Permeability increased significantly, with PGA5 reaching 157.7 L·h–1·m–2. Among the samples, PGA3 (3% GA) showed the best balance of mechanical strength (0.40 MPa; 33% elongation), hydrophilicity, and permeability (77.3 L·h–1·m–2) and was selected for further testing. PGA3 exhibited up to 97% flux recovery, low irreversible fouling (2.7–6.45%), and reduced turbidity by up to 93%. It filtered the full module volume (80 mL) in under 30 min at 1 bar, while pure PET filtered only 11.25% in 1 h under 4 bar. Conductivity tests confirmed PGA3′s superior retention of dissolved compounds. GA proved to be a viable additive for improving recycled PET membranes in wastewater treatment.
Silva et al. (Mon,) studied this question.