Enhanced synergistic modification of polysulfone membranes for improved cadmium removal and antifouling performance

Abstract The development of efficient and regenerable membranes for heavy metal removal remains a major challenge in water purification. This study presents a synergistic strategy to enhance polysulfone (PSf) membranes via the incorporation of zeolite Y, polyethylene glycol (PEG), and the surfactant Tween 20 using the phase inversion method. The combined use of these additives was investigated to overcome the interfacial and structural limitations of conventional PSf membranes. The prepared hybrid membranes were comprehensively characterized by ATR-FTIR, SEM, AFM, XRD, TGA, nanoindentation, and contact angle measurements. Results revealed that the additives incorporation generated a highly porous and interconnected morphology with enhanced surface hydrophilicity (contact angle: 62.2° ± 0.4) and improved roughness (Ra = 38.1 nm). Mechanical testing indicated a balanced flexibility (Young’s modulus: 39.95 ± 3 MPa; hardness: 4.32 ± 0.4 MPa) while maintaining good thermal stability. The PSf/3 wt% zeolite/PEG/Tween 20 membrane exhibited the best performance, achieving a pure water flux of 219.65 L m −2 h −1 , cadmium removal of 98.49 % at pH = 10, and a flux recovery ratio of 87.49 %. These results demonstrate that the combined modification approach effectively enhances both antifouling behavior and metal ion rejection, providing a promising route toward advanced, regenerable membranes for wastewater treatment applications.