Fabrication and characterization asymmetric membranes prepared from a multi-walled carbon nanotubes/polymer nanocomposite

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs)/polyethersulfone blend membranes were synthesized via the phase-inversion method, using water as a coagulant and N-methyl-2pyrrolidinone (NMP) as a solvent. Carbon nanotubes were treated with strong acid to make them well dispersed in organic solvents. To characterize membranes, Fourier Transform InfraRed spectroscopy (FTIR), contact angle and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) were employed. Furthermore, the pure water and rejection tests of the membranes were investigated. It was found that the content of functionalized MWCNTs was an important factor affecting the morphology and permeation propertise of the blend membranes. The water cotact angle of the membrane showed that the hydrophilicity of the surface increased with the content of MWNTs in the blend. In addition, SEM images of the blend membrane cross-section showed that the average pore size and pore structure of blend membranes changed with the content of functionalized MWNTs.This study has shown that addition of CNTs to polymeric membranes has improved separation propertise of the membrane

Keywords:

polyethersulfone , Multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs) , Phase inversion , Hydrophilicity , Composite membrane