In this study, poly(ethylene glycol) diacrylate (PEGDA) was cross-linked within a cellulose nanofibrous network to produce a novel nanocomposite membrane top layer. Materials properties (pore size, chemical composition, morphology, hydrophilicity and roughness) of the new composite layer was investigated by molecular weight cut off (MWCO) test, attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), water contact angle and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Different from regular cross-linked poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) hydrogel coating, the cross-linked polymer was combined with the nanofibrous cellulose (~5 nm in diameter) to formulate the barrier layer. The anti-fouling properties were evaluated by short-term and long-term fouling tests using bovine serum albumin (BSA) solution (1g/L). The membrane with the PEGDA/nanofibrous cellulose top layer exhibited higher fouling resistance and better recovery ability than commercial membranes (Pall life sciences Omega membrane and Koch HFK 328 membrane) in both short-term and long-term tests. Especially during the long-term test, the flux of the composite layer was about twice as high as that of commercial membranes while the rejection ratio maintained above 90%.

Preparation and characterization of poly (ethylene glycol) diacrylate/nanofibrous cellulose composite top layer with excellent antifouling properties

245th National Meeting (2013)

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