Development of new hybrid ultrafiltration membranes by entanglement of macromolecular PPSU-SO sub(3)H chains: Preparation, morphologies, mechanical strength, and fouling resistant properties

• Published in: Journal of applied polymer science 2015-05, Vol.132 (20), p.np-np
• Main Authors: Arumugham, Thanigaivelan, Kaleekkal, Noel Jacob, Doraiswamy, Mohan
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Chains (polymeric); Contact angle; Fouling; Mathematical models; Membranes; Phase shift; Porosity; Scanning electron microscopy; Strength
• ISSN: 0021-8995; 1097-4628
• DOI: 10.1002/app.41986

The present work focuses on the preparation of Polyphenylsulfone (PPSU) membranes with enhanced antifouling surfaces through an incorporation of sulfonated Polyphenylsulfone (PPSU-SO sub(3)H), which acts as both, surface modifying agent and macromolecular additive. Initially, Sulfonated polyphenylsulfone (PPSU-SO sub(3)H) was synthesized by using chlosulfonic acid via bulk modification method. The degree of sulfonation (DS, %) of PPSU-SO sub(3)H was calculated by using NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance).The phase inversion technique was used to prepare all asymmetric membranes by allowing the PPSU-SO sub(3)H (different wt %) to entangle with the PPSU membrane matrix. All prepared membranes were characterized by using scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), contact angle analysis (CA), mechanical strength analysis, molecular weight cut off (MWCO), porosity (%), mean pore size, and BSA adsorption studies. The performance efficiency of the membranes was evaluated by using BSA protein as a model foulant in terms of permeability, rejection (SR %), R sub(m)(hydraulic resistance), R sub(c)(cake layer resistance), R sub(p)(pore plugging resistance), R sub(r)(reversible fouling), R sub(ir) (irreversible fouling), and FRR (flux recovery ratio). copyright 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 41986.