Improvements in permeation and fouling resistance of PVC ultrafiltration membranes via addition of Tetronic-1107 and Triton X-100 as two non-ionic and hydrophilic surfactants

Abstract

Two non-ionic and hydrophilic surfactant additives, Tetronic-1107 and Triton X-100, were added to poly(vinyl chloride)/NMP polymeric solution to prepare ultrafiltration membranes via immersion precipitation. Surfactants at three different weight percentages up to 6 wt% were added, and the fabricated membranes were characterized and their performance for water treatment in the presence of bovine serum albumin (BSA) as a foulant was assessed. The scanning electron microscopy images indicated remarkable changes in morphology due to higher thermodynamic instability after surfactant addition. The membranes are more porous with more macro-voids in the sub-layer. Plus, the membranes become more hydrophilic. Water flux increases for the modified membranes by nearly two times and the ability of membranes for flux recovery increases from 66% to over 83%. BSA rejection reduces slightly with the addition of surfactants, however this parameter is still almost over 90% for the membranes with the highest amount of surfactants.

Novel Biohybrid Polysulfone Membranes with Physically Immobilized Gramicidin for Ion-Exchange Applications

“…According to morphology analysis performed by ESEM (section ), immobilization of TRX/gA does not affect membrane porosity. It has been reported that exposure to the surfactant enhances wetting properties of polymeric membranes and can enhance water uptake properties, − which is observed also in the present case.…”

“…The influence of Triton X100 (TRX) on the water flux properties of the polymeric membranes has been previously reported, and it was found that treatment with a surfactant significantly enhances water passage through the polymeric membranes. − Because the water flux is expected to increase after treatment with Triton solution, overall ion passage is going to increase as well. Because TRX treatment and TRX/gA micelle immobilization imply interaction of the membrane surface with the surfactant, we expect both modifications to improve ion permeability.…”

Preparation of poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) ultrafiltration membranes from PVC/additive/solvent and application of UF membranes as substrate for fabrication of reverse osmosis membranes

“…UF membranes have been produced by different polymers such as polysulfone (PSf), cellulose acetate (CA), polyethersulfone, polyacrylonitrile, polyetherimide (PEI), poly(vinylidene fluoride), and poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) . However, between these materials, PVC is an outstanding polymer for the fabrication of UF membranes because of its interesting good characteristics, including stiffness, lower price, excellent physical properties and mechanical performance, and good thermal stability.…”