Fabrication and characterization of polysulfone-graphene oxide mixed matrix membranes for average surface roughness of the membranes and tensile strength and elongation at break point of the membranes

The composite membrane is made a modified Hummer method. The polysulfone mixed matrix membranes (MMM) were fabricated by a phase separation method. Different concentrations of graphene oxide (۰.۰, ۰.۲۵ and ۰.۵ wt.% of polymer) were used. After fabrication of the membranes, the cross-sectional structure and their upper surface were assessed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and the surface roughness of the membranes was assessed by atomic force microscopy (AFM). The mechanical and thermal stability of the fabricated membranes were evaluated as well. The membrane tensile strength and length of the membrane at fracture point increased slightly with an increase in graphene oxide concentration. From the gas permeation test, by addition graphene oxide, the average surface roughness results obtained were ۱۲.۵۹, ۱۴.۰۲ and ۱۷.۳۳ respectively. The results of tensile strength and elongation at break point of the membranes are ۱.۲۳, ۱.۸, and ۲.۲۵ (tensile strength), and ۶.۵۱, ۶.۸۹, and ۷.۱۲ (break point), respectively.

Keywords:

Membrane gas separation , Mixed matrix membrane , Graphene oxide