Polysulfone–poly(Orthotoluidine) nanocomposite membrane with an improved separation performance

In the current study, poly(orthotoluidine) (POT), which is a polyaniline derivative, was used as a novel organic nanoadditive for the preparation of a polysulfone–POT nanocomposite membrane with an improved separation performance. The effect of different concentrations of POT (0.5, 1, and 1.5 wt%) on the membrane properties was investigated using scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, tensile measurement, thermogravimetric analysis, contact angle meter, and zeta potential. The performance of the membranes was evaluated in terms of the water flux and bovine serum albumin (BSA) rejection and adsorption. The irreversible flux decline ratio (R_ir) and the flux recovery rate (FRR%) were calculated to evaluate the fouling‐resistant ability of the prepared membranes. All of the membranes that consisted of the POT nanomaterials exhibited improved membrane performances (i.e., water flux, BSA adsorption resistance, rejection, and mechanical and thermal properties) compared with the neat polysulfone membrane. A considerable improvement in the membrane performance was observed for the nanocomposite membrane that had a POT content of 1 wt% because of its membrane morphology, which has a typical asymmetric structure and suitable surface characteristics, including surface roughness and charge. The 1 wt% POT‐added nanocomposite membrane, which exhibited the highest FRR value of 87.95% and the lowest irreversible fouling resistance (R_ir) value of 12.04%, could be used as a preferential membrane in ultrafiltration applications. POLYM. COMPOS., 38:E157–E166, 2017. © 2016 Society of Plastics Engineers