Easy Fabrication of Ultrafiltration Membrane via Polyethersulfone-Fumed Silica
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
8-1-2024
Abstract
This study investigated the effect of low-concentration fumed silica (FS) in polyethersulfone (PES) membranes. The PES/FS blend membrane was fabricated using a wet phase inversion technique as a flat sheet membrane. Scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed improved pore connectivity and rounder middle structures due to the addition of fumed silica. The experimental results indicated that the fabricated membranes fell within the ultrafiltration range, with pure water flux increasing as fumed silica concentration rose. The pure water flux improved by 64% compared to the native PES membrane. Furthermore, the blend membranes exhibited better selectivity, rejecting pepsin and lysozyme 11% and 19% more efficiently, respectively. Although the low concentration of fumed silica had minimal impact on the water contact angles of the membrane surface, all membranes demonstrated hydrophilicity. This cost-effective approach enhances permeability while maintaining separation characteristics, making it suitable for clean water applications.
Keywords
polysulfone, fumed silica, ultrafiltration, protein separation, clean water
Divisions
foundation,mechanical
Funders
Universitas Gadjah Mada (2692/UN1/DITLIT/Dit-Lit/PT.01.03/2023),Hibah Riset Kolaborasi Indonesia Scheme: Universitas Gadjah Mada (958/UN3) ; (LPPM/PT.01.03/2023),Universitas Airlangga (NKB-1078/UN2.RST/HKP.05.00/2023),Ministry of Research and Technology of the Republic of Indonesia (RISTEK)
Publication Title
Applied Sciences-Basel
Volume
14
Issue
16
Publisher
MDPI
Publisher Location
ST ALBAN-ANLAGE 66, CH-4052 BASEL, SWITZERLAND