Transportation Characteristics of Bisphenol A Affected by Humic Substances Through Ultrafiltration Membrane with Low Molecule Weight Cut-Off

Abstract

The hydrophobic interaction properties between bisphenol A (BPA) and humic substances (HS) were investigated using an ultrafiltration (UF) membrane with 1000Da Molecule Weight Cut-off (MWCO). Expect for other influences, the Stokes radius of the hydration molecule of the BPA affected by HS was calculated with the hydrodynamic model by simulation of BPA transportation in the membrane. It was found that the rejection efficiencies of BPAs visibly increased in the presence of various HS (humic acid and fulvic acid). Simulation results showed that the effective radius of the hydration molecules was increased accordingly. It is proposed that the HS addition may improve the hydrophobicity and hydration of the BPA hydration molecules, which increased the effective radius of the BPA molecules. This research helps to understand the interaction between hydrophobic molecules and natural organic matters (NOMs) during the removal of emerging hydrophobic contaminants using a membrane with low MWCO.