Comparative study on the effect of poly (vinylpyrrolidone) and polyethylene glycol as additives on polysulfone synthesized ultrafiltration membranes

• Published in: Journal of chemical technology and biotechnology (1986) Vol. 97; no. 9; pp. 2448 - 2455
• Main Authors: Rhimi, Asma, Zlaoui, Khira, Van der Bruggen, Bart, Horchani‐Naifer, Karima, Ennigrou, Dorra Jellouli
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chichester, UK John Wiley & Sons, Ltd 01.09.2022; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Additives; Alginic acid; Bovine serum albumin; Cattle; Cobalt; Comparative studies; Contact angle; Copper; Fourier transforms; heavy metals; Infrared spectroscopy; Membranes; Penetration; Polyelectrolytes; Polyethylene glycol; Polysulfone; Polysulfone resins; Reagents; removal; Retention; Scanning electron microscopy; Serum albumin; Sodium alginate; Synthesis; Ultrafiltration; Vinylpyrrolidone
• ISSN: 0268-2575; 1097-4660
• DOI: 10.1002/jctb.7139

BACKGROUND Polysulfone ultrafiltration membranes were prepared by phase inversion technique with 1‐methyl‐2‐pyrrolidinone as solvent, and with poly (vinyl pyrrolidone) (2 wt% and 3 wt%) and polyethylene glycol (6 wt%) as additives. Water contact angle measurements, scanning electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy were used to characterize the synthesized membranes. The membrane permeation has been evaluated in terms of ultrapure water, bovine serum albumin, cobalt, and copper retention. This study compared the effects of the amount and nature of additives on the performance and structure of synthesized membranes to enhance the hydrophilicity of polysulfone membranes. RESULTS It was found that 2 wt% poly (vinyl pyrrolidone) gives the optimal values on retention and flux permeation. When applied to ultrafiltration, the membrane exhibited high retention of bovine serum albumin, cobalt, and copper (99.1%, 28.9%, and 46.7%, respectively). The retention values of cobalt and copper are not high. CONCLUSION In the polyelectrolyte enhanced ultrafiltration process, the addition of a complexing agent, such as sodium alginate, enhances the retention of cobalt and copper to 94% and 97%, respectively. The optimal performances have been obtained at 2 bar and pH 4 for copper and cobalt retention., © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry (SCI).