Azadirachta indica seed powder–reinforced and nano sand–filled USPER membrane for oil/seawater separation

In situ methyl ethyl ketone peroxide–mediated free radial curing was used to synthesize a traditional Azadirachta indica seed (AIS) powder–reinforced and nano sand–filled unsaturated polyester resin (USPER) composite under various experimental settings. Different thermal characteristics (such as differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis), scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, colour mapping, Fourier transform infrared spectrum, antimicrobial activities and water contact angle measurements were used to characterize the prepared USPER composite. The USPER composite’s various mechanical and physico-chemical characteristics were also studied. The usage of the USPER composite–based membrane for oil/seawater separation was studied. The USPER composite’s tensile strength revealed a 0.17 order of dependence at different percentage weight loadings of nano sand. The mechanical characteristics grew gradually as the concentration of nano sand rose. The highest water flux was calculated to be 62.5 L/m²/h with a 100% oil rejection efficiency. The outcomes were contrasted with the values from the literature.