Comparison of Post-Treatment Methods and coating for Polysulfone Hollow Fiber Membranes

Abstract

The aim of the present work is to investigate the effect of post treatment of Polysulfone (PSf) hollow fiber membrane prepared by dry/wet spinning on the characteristics and performance of treated membranes. Also, the effect of coating of selected post-treated hollow fiber (HF) membrane on characteristics and performance is investigated. The Polysulfone hollow fiber membranes were prepared under controlled conditions. The post-treatments of HF membranes included treatment by soaking in magnesium sulphate 0.1%, water at 80 oC, sodium hypochlorite (0.1% ) and ethanol/isopropanol (0.1%). The last post-treated hollow fiber membranes were coated to form a thin polyamide layer via interfacial polymerization at controlled conditions. HF membranes were characterized by SEM, AFM, contact angle, porosity, and mechanical properties. The membrane performance with respect to water permeability under pressure up to 3 bar was investigated. The results of the investigation referred to the merits of each of post-treatment with respect to membrane hydrophobicity, membrane surface roughness and mechanical properties as will as water permeability. Further, the coating of post treated membrane produced membranes with low water permeability which could be suitable for membrane separation applications such as UF and NF. Testing of membrane rejection and water flux for different solutes and different conditions is recommended for future work.