Preparation and characterization of polyaniline/polysulfone nanocomposite ultrafiltration membrane

Novel nanocomposite membrane was prepared through the filtration of polyaniline (PANI) nanofiber aqueous dispersion with polysulfone (PS) ultrafiltration (UF) membrane. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images showed that PANI nanofiber layer was formed on the PS membrane surface. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) analysis indicated that the nanocomposite membrane had rougher surface than the PS substrate membrane. Compared with the PS substrate membrane, the nanocomposite membrane had much better permeability for the good hydrophilicity of PANI nanofiber layer, and had almost the same rejection performance. In addition, the nanocomposite membrane had positive surface potential under acidic condition because PANI could be protonated easily by acid. During the filtration of BSA solution, the nanocomposite membrane showed much better antifouling performance than the substrate membrane for the hydrophilicity and steric hindrance effect of its nanofiber layer. Moreover, under acidic solution condition, strong electrostatic repulsion between PANI nanofibers and BSA existed and improved membrane antifouling performance further.