Antifouling Property and Morphology of Polyethersulfone Membranes Blended with Bio-Based Amphiphilic Polymer Additives

Abstract:

In this work, polyethersulfone (PES) was blended with bio-based polymers, PLA (hydrophobic polymer) and PEG (hydrophilic polymer), in order to improve the antifouling properties of PES membranes. This was done by way of non-solvent induced phase separation. Membrane properties such as morphology, hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity, adsorption fouling and mechanical properties were characterized. All blended membranes displayed higher hydrophilicity than that of pristine PES. This was confirmed by lower water contact angle and higher water adsorption. It was found that membranes with 5 wt% PLA/PEG gave a water contact angle of 65.1° and water adsorption for 4.94. These were the best values obtained. These modifications yielded low protein adsorption leading to reduce membrane fouling. Adding a greater amount of PLA/PEG reduced the membrane pore size, enhanced hydrophilicity and improved the antifouling capability

• Periodical: Key Engineering Materials (Volume 824)
• Pages: 38-44
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/KEM.824.38
• Online since: October 2019
• Authors: Yupin Phuphuak*, Thidarat Loythaworn
• Keywords: Amphiphilic Polymer, Antifouling, Hydrophilicity, Membrane, Polyethersulfone

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