Efficient Solvent-Resistant Nanofiltration Membranes via a Semi-Interpenetrating Polymer Network Based on Poly(ether sulfone)/Nitrogen-Rich Polymer

Abstract

An extensive amount of research has been devoted to the design and fabrication of solvent-resistant nanofiltration (SRNF) membranes. In the present research, a semi-interpenetrating polymer network (semi-IPN) system, which is based on poly(ether sulfone) (PES) and nitrogen-rich compounds, was utilized to fabricate SRNF membranes via click reactions. Specifically, the polymer N-rich-p (alkyne) and cyanuric triazide (CC-N 3 ) were synthesized from cyanuric chloride and subsequently integrated as cross-linking agents into the PES membrane matrix. The morphology and structure of the fabricated membranes were comprehensively examined with multiple methods such as attenuated-total-reflectance Fourier transform infrared, NMR, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, atomic force microscopy, and field-emission scanning electron microscopy. Thermal properties examined through thermogravimetric analysis and mechanical attributes including tensile strength showed a notable enhancement compared to the original membrane. The fabricated membranes demonstrated superior stability in solvents like methanol (MeOH), ethanol (EtOH), trichloromethane (CHCl 3 ), tetrahydrofuran (THF), and N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF). Performance evaluations, encompassing solvent permeance, contact angle, porosity assessment, and dye rejection tests, indicated that an increase in cross-linking agents led to improved resistance against organic solvents. Furthermore, the performances of the prepared cross-linked membranes in rejecting dyes Reactive Red, Methylene Blue,