Surface modification of polyethersulfone nanofiltration membranes by nanocomposite Layer containing POSS nanoparticles

In this study, the Surface of polyethersulfone nanofiltration membranes was modified by a nanocomposite Layer containing POSS nanoparticles. The effect of the Surface modification, on the structure, separation, and other properties of the membranes was checked. Pristine membranes were prepared by the phase inversion method. The surface of the membrane was modified by the dip coating method. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), atomic force microscopy (AFM) analysis, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), were applied in membrane characterization. Moreover, Pure water flux, salt rejection, membrane porosity, mean pore size of the membrane, water content, and water contact angle were applied to evaluate membranes. The FTIR results proved the creation of a nanocomposite layer with the POSS nanoparticles on the surface of the virginal membrane. SEM images confirmed that a new layer was uniformly present on the surface of the modified membranes. The amount of water content for double-layer membranes had an increasing trend compared to pristine membranes, also, the results of the contact angle showed a decrease in the surface roughness for the modified membranes then with increasing concentration of glycidyl-pass nanoparticles, that is a hydrophobic substance, went through a decreasing trend. By increasing Acrylic Acid, the porosity was enhanced but after utilizing glycidyl-pass nanoparticles, it showed a decreasing trend. Also, the pure water flux showed a decreasing trend. The rate of return had an increasing trend for the membranes. The addition of glycidyl-pass nanoparticles up to 0.1% by weight resulted in the yield of 59.74% Na2SO4 and 64% for CrSO4.