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Preparation and characterization of PVDF-PFSA flat sheet ultrafiltration membranes

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Abstract

High performance polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) flat sheet ultrafiltration (UF) membranes have been prepared by an immersion precipitation phase inversion method using perfluorosulfonic acid (PFSA) as a pore former and as a hydrophilic component of the membranes and polyethylene glycol (M w = 400) (PEG400) as a pore forming agent. The effects of the presence of PEG and the concentration of the PFSA on the phase separation of the casting solutions and on the morphologies and performance of UF membranes including their porosity, water flux, rejection of bovine serum albumin (BSA) protein, and anti-fouling property were investigated. Phase diagrams, viscosities and the phase separations upon exposure to water vapor showed that both PEG400 and PFSA promoted demixing of the casting solution. Scanning electron microscopy measurements showed that the PVDF-PFSA blend membranes had more macropores and finger-like structures than the native PVDF membranes. The PVDF-PFSA membrane (5 wt-% PEG400 + 5 wt-% PFSA) had a pure water flux of 141.7 L/m2·h, a BSA rejection of 90.1% and a relative pure water flux reduction (RFR) of 15.28%. These properties were greatly superior to those of the native PVDF membrane (pure water flux of 5.6 L/m2·h, BSA rejection of 96.3% and RFR of 42.86%).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200240, China

    Jiquan Ma, Junhong Zhao & Lei Li

  2. Sinopec International Petroleum Exploration and Production Corporation Sudan Branch, Beijing, 100029, China

    Zhongbin Ren

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  1. Jiquan Ma
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  2. Junhong Zhao
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  3. Zhongbin Ren
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  4. Lei Li
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Correspondence to Lei Li.

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Ma, J., Zhao, J., Ren, Z. et al. Preparation and characterization of PVDF-PFSA flat sheet ultrafiltration membranes. Front. Chem. Sci. Eng. 6, 301–310 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11705-012-1204-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11705-012-1204-6

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