Synthesizing Ag/PDA/PES Antibacterial Membrane for Natural Organic Molecules Removal

¹ Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Jalan Sungai Long, 43000 Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia.
² Advanced Membrane Technology Research Centre (AMTEC), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Skudai, Johor, Malaysia.

^* Corresponding author: kooch@utar.edu.my

Abstract

Silver nanoparticles (NP) was successfully immobilized on polydopamine (PDA) supported polyethersulfone (PES) membrane via a redox reaction. Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) was added into membrane dope solution as a pore-forming agent. Four pieces of membranes (M1, M2, M3 and M4) were fabricated with different active layer coatings to compare their morphological and performance properties. The differences between each sample were highlighted as follow: M1 (pristine PES), M2 (PES+PVP), M3 (PDA/PES+PVP) and M4 (Ag/PDA/PES+PVP). All membranes were characterized using scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and contact angle analysis. The membrane performance was examined using pure water permeability (PWP) test, antibacterial test and humic acid (HA) rejection test. Pristine M1 membrane showed that PWP of 27.16 LMH/bar and HA rejection of 84 %. In this study, it was found that the addition of PVP as a pore agent into the membrane M2 increased water flux but slightly deteriorated HA rejection. Coating of PDA on M3 and immobilizing silver NP on M4 membrane surface have improved HA rejection but compromised PWP. The results showed that membrane M4 carried excellent antibacterial property and highest HA rejection among all fabricated membranes.