An efficient nanofiltration membrane based on blending of polyethersulfone with modified (styrene/maleic anhydride) copolymer

Abstract

In this study, styrene–maleic anhydride (SMA) copolymer was modified by ring opening reaction of its anhydride groups with diethanolamine (DEA). The modified SMA copolymer was blended in different concentrations (2.5, 4 and 5.5 %) with Polyethersulfone (PES) to improve the hydrophilicity of PES membranes and the corresponding blend membrane was prepared through phase inversion. The influence of SMA copolymer on morphology, mechanical properties, water flux, rejection and anti-fouling properties of blend membrane were investigated. The modified SMA and their composition were confirmed by FT-IR and 1HNMR techniques. The asymmetric structure of membrane was revealed by SEM. The water flux and contact angle results show that the hydrophilicity of membrane surface was increased by addition of SMA copolymer. The better anti-fouling properties of the PES/modified SMA blend membranes in comparison with the PES membrane also confirmed that the hydrophilicity of blend membrane enhances.