Modification of PES Membrane: Reduction of Biofouling and Improved Flux Recovery

Authors: Kouwonou, Yao¹; Malaisamy, Ramamoorthy¹; Jones, Kimberly¹

Source: Separation Science and Technology, Volume 43, Number 16, December 2008 , pp. 4099-4112(14)

Publisher: Taylor and Francis Ltd

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Abstract:

A 0.22 µm polyethersulfone microfiltration membrane was modified using acrylic acid irradiated with UV light. The degree of grafting (DG) was confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy, which varied from 21 to 568 µg/cm2 for differing irradiation times and initial monomer concentrations. The contact angle of the modified membranes was at least 10° less than the unmodified PES membrane. Modification filled the pores with copolymer, and decreased the permeability of the membrane. However, following the filtration of E. coli, and membrane cleaning, the flux recovery was 100% for the modified membranes and only 50% for the unmodified membranes. Thus, the modification helped in showing reversible biofouling and higher flux recovery.

Keywords: Membrane biofouling; flux recovery; microfiltration; membrane surface modification

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1080/01496390802414726

Affiliations: 1: Department of Civil Engineering, Howard University, Washington, DC, USA

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