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Published on: February 13, 2016
Dual Optimized Sulfonated Polyethersulfone and Functionalized Multiwall Carbon Tube Based Composites High Fouling
Muhammad Irfan1,2, Masooma Irfan3, Ani Idris1
1Centre for Environmental Sustainability and Water Security (IPASA), School of Chemical and Energy Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Johor Bahru 81310, Malaysia.
Functionalized multiwall carbon nanotube (f-MWCNT)/polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) nanocomposites significantly improved sulfonated-Polyethersulfone (S-PES) ultrafiltration membranes. These enhanced membranes show superior antifouling and protein separation capabilities, with reduced protein adsorption.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Chemical Engineering
- Membrane Technology
Background:
- Sulfonated-Polyethersulfone (S-PES) membranes are widely used in ultrafiltration.
- However, their performance is often limited by fouling and poor protein resistance.
- Enhancing these properties is crucial for optimizing separation processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To improve the antifouling, protein resistance, and protein separation properties of S-PES ultrafiltration membranes.
- To investigate the effect of functionalized multiwall carbon nanotube (f-MWCNT)/polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) nanocomposites (NCs) on membrane performance.
- To understand the interaction mechanisms between S-PES and NCs.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of S-PES membranes incorporating f-MWCNT/PVP nanocomposites.
- Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) to analyze chemical bonding.
- Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) for cross-sectional morphology.
- Atomic force microscopy (AFM) for surface roughness analysis.
- Contact angle measurements to assess hydrophilicity.
- Protein adsorption and separation experiments using various proteins (lysozyme, trypsin, pepsin, BSA).
Main Results:
- Strong hydrogen bonding between S-PES and f-MWCNT/PVP enhanced membrane stability and reduced nanocomposite leaching.
- Membranes exhibited reduced contact angles (up to 48% lower than pristine PES).
- Significant improvement in flux recovery ratio (80-84%) and reduced reversible resistance (58-62%).
- Marked reduction in both dynamic (60% less) and static (54.4% less) protein adsorption.
- High removal efficiencies for proteins of varying molecular weights, including 99.9% for BSA (66 kDa).
Conclusions:
- The incorporation of f-MWCNT/PVP nanocomposites effectively optimizes the antifouling and protein separation performance of S-PES ultrafiltration membranes.
- The enhanced properties are attributed to strong interfacial interactions and improved surface characteristics.
- These modified membranes show great potential for advanced protein separation applications.
