Influence of MgO nanoparticles on the physiochemical, transport, and antimicrobial properties of polyethersulfone membranes

Investigation of the Coupled Effect of Liquid and Solid Inorganic Additives on Thermal Stability and Water Retention of PFSA Composite

“…In the D_800_PEM sample, the additional acidity from concentrated sulfuric acid is ∼0.05 mmol/g. At 3 and 5 wt % of FSIA, the EW and IEC values were very close to the value of 3 M PFSA reference membrane as mentioned elsewhere . With increasing weight percent of FSIA from 5 to 20%, the values of EW and IEC tried to reach close to the value of Nafion 1100 (i.e., IEC = 0.91 mmol/g).…”

“…First, the membranes were soaked in water for 8 h. Both intensities of vibration modes were found to be almost equal, and on prolonged soaking of the membranes in water, the intensity of the CF 2 band increased compared to that of the SO 3 – group. In case of D_800_PEM, a splitting of the SO 2 asymmetric vibration is observed independently of water content compared to reference membrane, as mentioned elsewhere. , Shifts of CF 2 to lower wavenumber (red shift) and SO (SO 4 2– ) to higher wavenumber (blue shift) are observed. In case of D_800_FSIA_3 wt %, the water uptake is clearly delayed by 16 h. The dry membrane shows only very weak IR transmittance.…”

“…To increase the chemical interaction and water supply into PFSA polymer, there is an intimate contact required between the hydrophilic part of the PFSA polymer and the added inorganic additives . It is known from recent modeling work that in the presence of protic solvents and/or water, PFSA polymers form micelles, to maximize the interaction within the hydrophilic region of the polymer. In any kind of solvent-based processing of PFSA, it is therefore required to destabilize the emulsion and brake apart the PFSA micelles to enable chemical interaction with an inorganic additive.…”