This study aims to integrate copper (Cu) during membrane formation by a facile simultaneous phase separation process to alleviate biofouling and improve membrane performance. Polythiourea (PTU) polymer synthesized through condensation polymerization of 4,4-oxydianiline and p-phenylene diisothiocyanate in dimethyl sulfoxide was used in the preparation of dope solution. By incorporating different concentrations of cupric acetate in the non-solvent bath, both non-solvent induced phase separation and complexation induced phase separation occur instantaneously. Scanning electron microscopy—energy dispersive X-ray, fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy analysis accompanied by color change of the membrane surfaces—confirms the interaction of the polymer with Cu. Interaction of Cu at the interface during membrane formation results in a decrease in contact angle from 2 to 10° and a decrease in surface roughness from 30% to 52% as measured by atomic force microscope analysis. Pure water flux of PTU-Cu membrane increased by a factor of 3 to 17 relative to pristine PTU membrane. Both the pristine PTU and PTU-Cu membrane showed antibacterial characteristics against E. coli.
A Composite Flat Sheet Membrane Containing Polythiourea-Copper (PTU-Cu) Complex was fabricated through a two-step phase separation involving complexation and/or crosslinking of the polymer by copper ions (Cu2+) on the first step and non-solvent induced phase separation on the second step. The surface topography of the membrane was analysed using Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) in non-contact mode. The incorporation of copper at the surface was confirmed through Scanning Electron Microscope-Energy Dispersive X-ray (SEM-EDX) mapping wherein other elements such as Sulfur (S), Carbon (C) and Oxygen (O) of the polymer were conducted. The fabricated membrane was rigid as shown by high value (about 2.15 GigaPascal) of measured Young’s modulus using the Pinpoint Nanomechanical Analysis Mode of AFM. In addition, the surface charge and hydrophobicity were measured using the Electrostatic Force Microscope (EFM) and water contact angle respectively. The antifouling characteristics of the membrane was evaluated through antimicrobial membrane surface contact test wherein E. coli was used as test microorganism. Other membrane properties such as pore size distribution and pure water flux were measured using a porometer and a filtration apparatus.
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