Effect Of Heat Treatment On The Performance And Structural Details Of Polyethersulfone Ultrafiltration Membranes

Abstract

) of the membranes were determined from solute transport data. It is observed that solute separation using PEG 35000 Daltons increased while flux decreased as the heating temperature increases. The MWCO and pore size of the membranes decreased with increased heating temperatures. Surface and cross section of PES UF membranes were characterized before and after heating using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). Atomic Force Microscopy (AFM) analysis revealed significant changes were observed in the surface of PES UF membrane with increased heating temperatures. The performance of the membrane was not only affected by heat treatment but also the heating temperatures. Key words: Ultrafiltration, polyethersulfone, heating, temperature, polyethylene glycol