Novel polyaniline–polyethersulfone nanofiltration membranes: effect of in situ polymerization time on structure and desalination performance. Issue 52 (28th November 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Butt, Ayyaz Shahbaz; Qaiser, Asif Ali; Abid, Nida; Mahmood, Umer
• Is Part Of: RSC advances. Volume 12:Issue 52(2022)
• Page Start: 33889
• Page End: 33898
• Publication Date: 2022-11-28
• Subjects: Chemistry -- Periodicals; 540.5
• DOI: 10.1039/d2ra05735b
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2046-2069

Abstract

Abstract : Electroactive polyaniline (PANI) was layered on base PES asymmetric nanofiltration membrane using in situ solution-phase polymerization. PANI deposition time showed a significant effect on membranes' structural properties and desalination performance. Abstract : In this research, novel polyaniline-layered nanofiltration membranes were prepared by phase inversion of base polyethersulfone (PES) membranes and subsequent in situ solution-phase deposition of polyaniline as a thin surface layer. In these composite membranes, the impact of the polyaniline deposition time on steric hindrance and electrostatic interactions during permeation was elucidated. The chemical structure, thermal stability, and mechanical properties of the PES and PANI-PES membranes were investigated using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), respectively. The membranes' porosity and pore size decreased as PANI deposition time increased. As PANI deposition time increased, PANI layered nanofiltration membranes exhibited improved thermal stability but deteriorated mechanical characteristics due to free radical destruction from prolonged exposure to the oxidant. These PANI–PES membranes showed 43% rejection (NaCl) at 1.7 bar coupled with a flux of 11.59 L h −1 m 2 that is quite promising when comparing with similar Nanofilteration (NF) membranes in the literature and commercial NF membranes, as well. As the deposited layer, PANI is partially doped; hence, permeation results have been interpreted in terms of steric hindrance and electrostatic repulsion by electrochemical PANI layering.