Successful preparation of polyaniline‐modified polystyrene novel composite membrane

Abstract

This work describes the polyaniline (PANI) nanoparticles' impregnation into the polystyrene (PS) membrane and its impact on the different membrane properties for the first time. PANI nanoparticles were synthesized separately using the oxidative polymerization technique and then impregnated into the polystyrene‐DMF matrix solution. Membranes were cast via the Non‐Solvent Induced Phase Separation (NIPS) process. The surface and structural properties of the fabricated membranes were thoroughly characterized using contact angle measurement (CA), x‐ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier‐transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) and the mechanical characteristics of the membrane were also investigated. According to the CA results, the addition of PANI in the matrix improved the polystyrene membrane's hydrophilicity from 65° to 54.5°. The FTIR spectra revealed that the PANI nanoparticles were successfully impregnated into the PS matrix. SEM images illustrated that the porosity of the PANI‐modified membrane was enhanced by 50% compared to the pristine PS membrane. Furthermore, adding PANI to the PS membrane significantly reduced the average pore size. The filtration experiment showed that PANI modified membrane had 81% rejection of MO dye as compared to the pristine PS membrane which had 60%. Therefore, The PANI added to the PS membrane greatly enhanced the PS membrane's structural properties.