Control of Polysulfone Ultrafiltration Membrane haracteristics byChanging Molecular Weight of additives and UV Irradiation Parameters

Ultrafiltration (UF) membranes were prepared via phase inversion method. Casting solution contained polysulfone (PSf) / N-methylen-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) / poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and water was used as coagulant media. PEG with different molecular weight was used as pore-former. The effect of molecular weight of PEG on permeation properties was evaluated. It can be observed that an increase in the molecular weight of PEG additive leads to an increase in water permeability. The effects of irradiation parameters such as irradiation time and monomer concentration were evaluated. The results show that by increasing the irradiation time and monomer concentration, rejection of the organic materials increases; although solution permeability decreases. Grafting of Acrylic Acid (AA) onto surface of membranes confirmed by Infra Red spectra (IR).

Keywords:

Wet phase inversion , UV-grafting , Polysulfone , Acrylic Acid , Poly (ethylene glycol)