Novel hybrid polyethersulfone membranes modified with polyvinylpyrrolidone and Ag/titanate nanotubes

In this work, the influence of addition of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP, 10kDa, 1-4.8wt%) and Ag-modified titanate nanotubes (Ag/TNTs, 0.1wt%) on physicochemical and transport properties of polyethersulfone (PES) ultrafiltration membranes was studied. The membranes were prepared via wet phase inversion method using N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) as a solvent and water as a non-solvent. The Ag/TNTs nanocomposite was obtained via photodeposition method using AgNO3 as a precursor. It was found that the addition of PVP into the casting dope affected the cross-section structure of the membranes and their surface topography. The presence of PVP improved the dispersion Ag/TNTs agglomerates in the membranes structure. A positive influence of the introduction of the nanocomposite into the membranes matrix on their permeability was also proved.