Abstract
Polyphenylsulfone (PPSU) membranes are of fundamental importance for many applications such as water treatment, gas separation, energy, electronics, and biomedicine, due to their low cost, controlled crystallinity, chemical, thermal, and mechanical stability. Numerous research studies have shown that modifying surface properties of PPSU membranes influences their stability and functionality. Therefore, the modification of the PPSU membrane surface is a pressing issue for both research and industrial communities. In this review, various surface modification methods and processes along with their mechanisms and performance are considered starting from 2002. There are three main approaches to the modification of PPSU membranes. The first one is bulk modifications, and it includes functional groups inclusion via sulfonation, amination, and chloromethylation. The second is blending with polymer (for instance, blending nanomaterials and biopolymers). Finally, the third one deals with physical and chemical surface modifications. Obviously, each method has its own limitations and advantages that are outlined below. Generally speaking, modified PPSU membranes demonstrate improved physical and chemical properties and enhanced performance. The advancements in PPSU modification have opened the door for the advance of membrane technology and multiple prospective applications.
Highlights
Polyphenylsulfone (PPSU) belongs to sulfone-family polymers that have been thoroughly studied for their potential applications in membrane science and technology
The enhancement in membrane flux and dye–methanol separation at lower Cu-BTC loadings could be ascribed to the good dispersion of the nanoparticles in the PPSU blends coupled with their improved interfacial contact with the polymer matrix
This review article has summarized up-to-date methods used for the modification of PPSU membranes
Summary
Polyphenylsulfone (PPSU) belongs to sulfone-family polymers that have been thoroughly studied for their potential applications in membrane science and technology. The state-of-the-art PPSU-based membranes show superior properties, including excellent thermal and mechanical stability, high chemical resistance, impact resistance, and hydrolytic stability [1–8]. This stability can be attributed to the difference in their backbone structure compared to other polymeric materials. One disadvantage of PPSU-based membranes is their hydrophobic nature, which leads to reduced surface energy. The latter causes poor antifouling ability by foulant pollutants in water. Two more disadvantages of the PPSU membrane are its low water permeability and high fouling ability These two have limited its application in aqueous phase separation. Summary of frequently used methods for modification of PPSU membrane and performance
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