Preparation and characterization of modified polyphenylsulfone membranes with hydrophilic property for filtration of aqueous media

Abstract

In the present research, the low water flux of polyphenylsulfone membranes was addressed, and a novel improvement in their water permeation and fouling resistance was achieved using polyethylene glycol (PEG) as the hydrophilic additive. Scanning electron microscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, attenuated total reflection Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and tensile test were applied for the investigation of membrane morphology, surface topography, surface chemical structure, thermal stability, and mechanical properties, respectively. Moreover, the relative hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity of the membranes was assessed via determination of membrane water uptake capacity and water contact angle. The membrane performance was studied and compared by determination of pure water flux and filtration of canned beans production wastewater as well as bovine serum albumin solution. The filtration results indicated a remarkable pure water flux and 100% turbidity rejection provided by the polyphenylsulfone/PEG 20 000 membrane. In addition, it was confirmed that the amount of residual PEG within the membrane was increased with increasing PEG molecular weight and concentration.

Biodegradable membrane based on polycaprolactone/polybutylene succinate: Characterization and performance evaluation in wastewater treatment

“…Higher PBS concentration, although resulted in a less porous structure, again provided higher PWF due to the higher amount of hydrophilic PBS in the membrane structure. Increased flux due to enhanced hydrophilicity despite the decrease in porosity was reported previously 1 …”

“…The amount of water uptake is an index of the simultaneous effect of hydrophilicity and porosity of the membrane 1 . The water uptake capacity of the PCL and PCL/PBS membranes were determined after immersion in water, and the results are shown in Table 1.…”

“…The increase in water consumption and wastewater generation has provoked global concerns on environmental issues and water scarcity 1 . Water pollution is considered as one of the most serious environmental problems 1 . A promising approach to extending water supplies is the treatment and reuse of wastewaters 2 …”

Nano‐Modification of the Polyvinyl Alcohol/Organic Acid‐Modified Polyvinylidene Fluoride Thin‐Film Composite Membrane and Its Application in the Nanofiltration Process

“…On the other hand, additives with higher molecular weight than the solvent, entangle the polymer chains and increase solution viscosity. [ 14,17,23–27 ] It seems that at the 0.5 wt% of citric acid, the impact of the solubility parameters overcame the polymer entanglement effect. Further increase in the additive concentration (1 wt%) increased the polymer chain entanglements, due to the higher molecular weight of the organic acid than that of NMP, and became the dominant factor in the viscosity enhancement.…”

“…As found in previous studies, the overall membrane thickness is directly related to the demixing rate. [ 18,26,23,28 ] By increasing the organic acid dosage from 0% to 1%, the demixing rate increased and then decreased due to the following explanations: First, the presence of the hydrophilic additive in casting solution (0.5 wt% of citric acid) increased the rate of water diffusion into the polymeric film and boosted the solvent and nonsolvent exchange rate during the phase inversion process and thus, caused a more porous structure. Since overall membrane thickness depends on its structure and morphology, the acceleration of the demixing process resulted in more microvoids that increased membrane thickness.…”