Poly(methyl vinyl ether-alt-maleic acid)-Coated Poly(ether ether) Sulfone Ultrafiltration Membranes Augmented with Silver Nanoparticles for the Removal of Proteins and Pesticides from Aqueous Solutions

Abstract

The huge prevalence of pesticides in freshwater sources has led to a current demand for a modified polymer membrane with greater hydrophilic and antifouling qualities. Filtration of those pesticides using membranes remains a challenge due to fouling effects. Here, a ultrafiltration poly(ether ether) sulfone (PEES) polymer membrane was customized by the addition of a biocompatible poly(methyl vinyl ether-alt-maleic acid) (PMVEAMA) copolymer and by the inclusion of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). The PEES/PMVEAMA/AgNPs polymer membrane was designed by the phase inversion method to efficiently separate proteins and pesticides. The synthesized membranes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, which revealed the membranes' pore formation, functional group, and crystalline nature. The incorporation of 1.5 wt % AgNPs elevates the performance of the polymer membrane. The modified membrane exhibited a significant increase in contact angle (67°), water content (77%), porosity (83.9%), and flux (329 Lm −2 h −1 ). The PEES/PMVEAMA with 1.5 wt % AgNPs exhibited a molecular cutoff of 8000 Da and accelerated the rejection of pentachlorophenol from 49 to 69%. Meanwhile, the PEES/PMVEAMA/AgNPs hybrid membrane showed a flux recovery ratio of 93% for bovine serum albumin and 95% for pentachlorophenol. Significantly, the AgNPs-functionalized polymer membrane displayed reduced irreversible fouling (4.2% for pentachlorophenol and 6.2% for albumin). Thus, the current study provides a novel perspective that the integration of biobased PMVEAMA and Ag-NPs has enhanced the membrane's antifouling performance and hydrophilicity and also increased its separation of proteins and pesticides from aqueous solutions.