Innovative membrane engineering: Polyphenylsulfone/silver-doped zinc oxide for high-efficiency protein rejection

In the present study, the nanocomposite polyphenylsulfone (PPSU) flat sheet membranes containing silver-doped zinc oxide (Ag-ZnO) was synthesized by the dry/wet phase inversion technique. Spectroscopic characterizations confirmed the nanoparticle incorporation into the membrane matrix. Microscopic characterization validates that, Ag-ZnO nanoparticles were distributed uniformly throughout the membrane. The Ag-ZnO modified PPSU membranes were evaluated for their protein rejection performances against BSA, egg albumin and pepsin from their aqueous solutions. PPSU composite membranes with 1.5 wt.% Ag-ZnO nanoparticles showed enhanced pure water permeability and protein rejection properties compared to the neat membrane. Increased permeability, antifouling nature and rejection of proteins were attributed to the cumulative effects of adding Ag-ZnO nanoparticle into the membrane.The highest protein rejection was exhibited by the membrane AZM-2 for BSA, egg albumin and pepsin were 92.1%, 86.8% and 73.4%, respectively. • Synthesis of Ag doped ZnO nanoparticles and its characterisation by various studies. • Fabrication of Ag–ZnO/PPSU composite membranes by phase inversion method and their performance studies. • Protein rejection property studies of the fabricated membranes were performed against BSA, egg albumin and pepsin from their aqueous solutions. • The incorporation of Ag-ZnO nanoparticles in the PPSU membrane matrix increased the hydrophilicity, porosity, water uptake, water permeability, surface charge, antifouling property and protein rejection efficiency of the PPSU membranes.