Sustainable Modification of Polyethersulfone Membrane with Poly(Maleic Anhydride-Co-Glycerol) as Novel Copolymer

This work presented an endeavour to fabricate sustainable and eco-friendly polyethersulfone (PES) ultrafiltration membranes. A novel graft copolymer (Poly(Maleic Anhydride-Co-Glycerol)) (PMG) have been synthesized via a facile rapid route impart their hydrophilic features onto the final PES membrane. series of characterization tools, for both nanoadditives nanocomposite membranes, harnessed confirm successful fabrication processes. These include Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM), contact angle measurements (CA). Results disclosed synthesis PMG nanoparticles that manifested smooth homogenous surface with average molecular size 88.07 nm. The membrane structure has witnessed gradual development upon each increment in nanoparticle content ratio along relatively thicker pore walls. shape figure-like micropores exhibited critical visible structural changes following nanoadditive incorporation into polymeric matrix. For membrane, SEM imaging indicated active layer less finger-like were formed at higher NP within Hydrophilicity reversible correlation where CA value was minimum loading content. Compared pristine considerable enhancement performance modified membranes witnessed. prepared using 2.5 g PMGNPs showcased six times pure water flux than neat maintained highest retention (98%) against BSA protein solution. Additionally, revealed promising antifouling self-cleaning characteristics.