Improved microfiltration and bacteria removal performance of polyethersulfone membranes prepared by modified vapor‐induced phase separation

Abstract

Polyethersulfone (PES) microfiltration membranes were fabricated by a combined vapor‐induced phase separation and wet phase separation method. The effect of different non‐solvent additives in casting solution, ie, acetone, diethylene glycol, and triethylene glycol (TEG) was investigated on the membrane morphology and performance. Scanning electron microscopy images showed that the membrane containing TEG additive had a skinless symmetric structure with well interconnected pores. The permeability of the PES/PVP/TEG membranes increased by decreasing PES and TEG and increasing PVP concentration. Bacteria removal performance of the prepared membranes was investigated by the filtration of E. coli suspension. The membrane made from casting solution containing 15 wt.% PES, 16 wt.% PVP, and 20wt.% TEG showed a pure water flux of ~ 5370 L/m2 h at low transmembrane pressure of 10 psi and 100% bacteria removal efficiency. The results of in vitro cytotoxicity test and cell viability assay showed non‐toxic nature of the prepared membranes.

Two‐stage phase separation of cellulose acetate membranes modified with plasma‐treated natural zeolite: Response surface modeling

“…The porosity value of the membrane containing 3‐wt% PVP was 71.10%, which increased to 82.34% by increasing PVP amount to 5 wt% (runs 17 and 10 in Table ). By increasing hydrophilic molecules of the PVP, more nonsolvent (water vapor) molecules can diffuse to the polymeric film during the VIPS process, and larger internal pores can be formed (compare cross‐section SEM images of the runs 17 and 5 in Table ) . The decrease of membrane permeability at higher PVP concentrations (>5 wt%) may be attributed to the viscosity effect of polymeric solution that overcomes to the pore‐forming and hydrophilicity effect of the PVP and creates membrane with smaller internal pores and subsequently lower water flux (compare cross‐section SEM images of the runs 10 and 20 in Table ) …”

“…The most commonly used precipitation techniques are thermally induced phase separation (TIPS), nonsolvent‐induced phase separation (NIPS), and vapor‐induced phase separation (VIPS) . The combination of the mentioned processes can also be used for the preparation of the polymeric membranes with controlled morphology and performance …”

“…7 The combination of the mentioned processes can also be used for the preparation of the polymeric membranes with controlled morphology and performance. 8,9 The efficiency of a membrane process mainly depends on the physical properties of the membrane, such as morphology, thickness, and porosity; permeability; and process and system condition. 10 Different strategies are studied by researchers to improve membrane properties and performance.…”

Cationic cellulose filter papers modified with ZnO/Ag/GO nanocomposite as point of use gravity-driven filters for bacterial removal from water

“…The use of filters with large pores to remove bacteria has been investigated not only to supply drinking water but also in the food and medical industries 47 . Most of the studies have been related to the use of POU ceramic filters compared to polymeric or cellulose paper filters 48 .…”

Recent advances in polymer membranes employing non-toxic solvents and materials

“…212,213 TEG has been used for fabricating cellulose acetate butylate (CAB), CA and cellulose acetate propionate (CAP) membranes via TIPS. 214,215 Barzin et al 216 employed TEG as a kind of green additive for PES membranes via VIPS. The TEG/PES membranes showed a higher water permeance of 5370 Lm −2 h −1 at a lower transmembrane pressure of 10 psi and 100% bacteria removal rate.…”