Development of new hybrid ultrafiltration membranes by entanglement of macromolecular PPSU-SO3H chains: Preparation, morphologies, mechanical strength, and fouling resistant properties

The present work focuses on the preparation of Polyphenylsulfone (PPSU) membranes with enhanced antifouling surfaces through an incorporation of sulfonated Polyphenylsulfone (PPSU-SO3H), which acts as both, surface modifying agent and macromolecular additive. Initially, Sulfonated polyphenylsulfone (PPSU-SO3H) was synthesized by using chlosulfonic acid via bulk modification method. The degree of sulfonation (DS, %) of PPSU-SO3H was calculated by using NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance).The phase inversion technique was used to prepare all asymmetric membranes by allowing the PPSU-SO3H (different wt %) to entangle with the PPSU membrane matrix. All prepared membranes were characterized by using scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), contact angle analysis (CA), mechanical strength analysis, molecular weight cut off (MWCO), porosity (%), mean pore size, and BSA adsorption studies. The performance efficiency of the membranes was evaluated by using BSA protein as a model foulant in terms of permeability, rejection (SR %), R-m (hydraulic resistance), R-c (cake layer resistance), R-p (pore plugging resistance), R-r (reversible fouling), R-ir (irreversible fouling), and FRR (flux recovery ratio). (c) 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci. 2015, 132, 41986.