Synthesis and characterization of PEG-Ag immobilized PES hollow fiber ultrafiltration membranes with long lasting antifouling properties

In this study, functional modification of PES hollow fiber membrane has been carried out by incorporating highly hydrophilic polyethylene glycol (PEG) and silver nanoparticles (Ag) through thermal grafting. Poly(acrylonitrile-comaleic acid) (PANCMA) was used as a linker to chemically attach PEG and silver to PES hollow fiber membrane. The successful functional modification of PES membrane was confirmed using different analytical techniques such as, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Energy-Dispersive X-ray (EDX) studies, water contact angle (CA), Fourier Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM), and the porometer. Further, the membranes were tested for the pure water flux and antifouling properties. From the contact angle data, it was identified that the new surface modification can increase the membrane hydophilicity. The water contact angle of the PES UF membrane can be reduced by around 75.5% from 62.6±3.7° to 15.3±1.2° and the pure water flux increased by about 36% from 513LMH to 702LMH for the modified membrane. Antibacterial activity of the modified membranes was confirmed by the clear zone obtained in the zone of inhibition test. Based on the experimental data, the prepared modified UF membranes seem promising for wastewater filtration.