Morphology Control of Polysulfone Membranes in Filtration Processes: a Critical Review

Abstract

Polysulfone (PSU) membranes have been widely applied in microfiltration and ultrafiltration processes due to their excellent properties, such as chemical inertness across the entire pH range, compressive strength, and thermal stability. Despite these advantages, the application of PSU membranes in filtration processes has often been restricted due to their hydrophobic nature, which results in serious membrane fouling and a reduced permeate flux. Moreover, PSU membranes suffer from several disadvantages, including bulky structure, low binding force between fibers, and poor mechanical properties. The key factor in the development and application of polymeric membranes is the control of its polymeric morphology due to the significant influence of membrane morphology on the membrane performance. Effective techniques of controlling PSU membrane morphology are accessed, and the effects of the morphological control on mechanical properties, chemical stability, membrane performance, and membrane fouling are investigated. Findings from various individual studies were analyzed and discussed in order to provide a critical review of this subject. The results emphasized that the membrane pore size and surface porosity mostly governs PSU membrane morphology, which enhances membrane performance and reduces membrane fouling.

Removal of heavy metal chromium from tannery effluent using ultrafiltration membrane

“…An increase in membrane thickness correlates to a decrease in permeation flux and better retention of solute. This could be attributed that membranes had larger pores with increasing thickness (Abdelrasoul et al 2015). Due to practical difficulties, using of 0.3 mm thickness has been avoided.…”

“…Thickness is a key parameter in membrane processes since it influences both the membrane selectivity and the membrane resistance against flux (Abdelrasoul et al 2015). It also plays an important role in the amount of conductive heat loss though the membrane.…”

Iron oxide nanoparticles improved biocompatibility and removal of middle molecule uremic toxin of polysulfone hollow fiber membranes

“…However, the Fe 2 O 3 NPs addition did induce the thermodynamic instability of dope solution once it contacted with nonsolvent (water) and hence, enabling a rapid phase demixing. The fast phase separation was proven by the increasing number and length of the finger‐like structures as compared to the neat PSf membrane . The existence of more finger‐like structures in the membrane can improve the water permeability of the membrane.…”

Immobilization of Perylene‐3,4,9,10‐Tetracarboxylic Dianhydride on Hollow Polysulfone Fibers: Primary Amine Coupling and Fluorescence Reporting

“…Among them, polysulfone (PS) hollow fiber membranes received considerable attention for their ultrafiltration capability that allow purification of water and biological fluids from pollutants, bacteria, viruses and endotoxins . PS hollow fibers have excellent properties, such as chemical inertness in the entire pH range, thermal stability, compressive and mechanical strength (fracture, flexure, torsion) . Their accurate design allows cut‐off filtration in the range from few nano‐ to several micrometers .…”