Ultrafiltration membranes based on polyethersulfone (PES) nanocomposites with partially unzipped carbon nanotubes (PUCNTs) were prepared and their separation performance was investigated. PUCNTs were fabricated using modified Tour’s method to partially open sidewalls of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) by introducing oxygen containing functional groups. The as-prepared PUCNTs have both one-dimensional tube and two-dimensional sheet in a same material at the same time. This result indicates that PUCNTs can play roles of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and graphene oxides (GOs), simultaneously. PES nanocomposite membranes containing different concentration of PUCNTs were prepared by non-solvent induced phase separation (NIPS) method. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis indicated all PES based membranes showed a typical asymmetric structure which was composed of thin active layer and finger-like support layer. The separation performance of obtained membranes was measured using dead-end filtration cell test. Pure water flux was enhanced with the introduction of PUCNTs due to hydrophilicity and a unique structure of PUCNT. This result suggests that the partially remained tube-like moiety of PUCNTs made channels that water molecules can flow quickly since it is previously reported that the water flux of membranes containing oxidized CNTs was higher than that of pristine membranes due to the tubular structure of CNTs. Antifouling properties of as-prepared membranes were measured using bovine serum albumin (BSA) as model foulants. The fouling resistance was enhanced when PUCNTs were mixed in PES since oxygen containing functional groups such as carboxyl and hydroxyl groups can inhibit absorption and improve desorption of BSA protein. In addition, PUCNT/PES composite membranes showed better mechanical properties compared to pristine PES membrane because the interfacial area was enhanced due to 2D sheet-like structure of PUCNTs. Our study suggests that PUCNT/PES composite membranes were considered an effective strategy to increase water flux and decrease biofouling in the membrane process for water purification.

Improving permeability and antifouling properties of polyethersulfone composite ultrafiltration membranes by incorporation of partially unzipped carbon nanotubes

2019 Fall National Meeting

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