Enhancement of antifouling properties, metal ions and protein separation of poly(ether-ether-sulfone) ultrafiltration membranes by incorporation of poly ethylene glycol and n-ZnO

Composite polymeric membranes with enhanced anti-fouling properties, antimicrobial activities and produced via the phase inversion technique using poly (ether-ether-sulfone) (PEES)/polyethylene glycol and n-ZnO. SEM and ATR-FTIR spectroscopy were used to study the morphological and chemical properties the resulting ultrafiltration membranes. PEG and n-ZnO concentration has an effect on membrane morphologies, ultrafiltration performance, thermal characteristics, metal ion separation studies, surface hydrophilicity fouling capabilities. The permeate flux increased when the PEG concentration was raised. This results that adding PEG and n-ZnO to membranes increased their surface hydrophilicity and anti-fouling properties. inclusion of 1.5 wt % n-ZnO and 5 wt % PEG to the pristine PEES membrane resulted in a higher flux of m-2 h-1, 70.09 % of water content, 47.46 degrees of contact angle, the porosity of 30.20 %, and hydraulic resistance 0.22 kPa/Lm-2h-1. Anti-fouling properties of the fabricated membrane were assessed using a model foulant which revealed a high flux recovery ratio value. As a result, the PEG and n-ZnO incorporated membrane hydrophilic than the virgin membrane. In addition, the prepared PEES/PEG/n-ZnO membrane showed nificant increase in metal ions and protein rejection. Furthermore, an antibacterial test of the membrane that the PEG and n-ZnO composite membrane outperformed the bare PEES membrane in terms of antibacterial capabilities. Overall, the findings reveal that combining n-ZnO and PEG resulted in a membrane with anti-fouling capabilities and hydrophilicity, making it suitable for water purification.