| Abstract: | Abstract Flat sheet asymmetric polyethersulfone (PES) ultrafiltration (UF) membranes were prepared from a homogenous solution of PES via immersion precipitation in a water coagulation bath. The effect of the solvents (N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) and N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF)) in preparation of the casting solution was studied. The effects of the molecular weight of polyethylene glycol (PEG) (400, 1500, and 6000 Da) on the morphology and the permeation properties of PES membranes were also investigated. Surface and cross-sectional morphology of the prepared membranes were studied by Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The permeation performance of the prepared membranes was evaluated in terms of pure water flux (Jw), water content, porosity, hydraulic permeability, protein solution flux, and protein rejection. A solution of human serum albumin (HSA, Mw = 66,000 Da) was used as feed to study the permeation properties of the prepared membranes. Increasing molecular weight of PEG additives from 400 to 6000 Da enhances pure water permeation flux and HSA solution permeation flux while it reduces the protein rejection. |
