Abstract
In the present research, the low water flux of polyphenylsulfone membranes was addressed, and a novel improvement in their water permeation and fouling resistance was achieved using polyethylene glycol (PEG) as the hydrophilic additive. Scanning electron microscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, attenuated total reflection Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and tensile test were applied for the investigation of membrane morphology, surface topography, surface chemical structure, thermal stability, and mechanical properties, respectively. Moreover, the relative hydrophilicity/hydrophobicity of the membranes was assessed via determination of membrane water uptake capacity and water contact angle. The membrane performance was studied and compared by determination of pure water flux and filtration of canned beans production wastewater as well as bovine serum albumin solution. The filtration results indicated a remarkable pure water flux and 100% turbidity rejection provided by the polyphenylsulfone/PEG 20 000 membrane. In addition, it was confirmed that the amount of residual PEG within the membrane was increased with increasing PEG molecular weight and concentration.
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