Synthesis, characterization and antibacterial activity of polystyrene based Mg3 (PO4)2/Ca3 (PO4)2 composite membrane Original Research Article

Polystyrene based magnesium–calcium phosphate (MCP) composite membranes were synthesized by co-precipitation method for various 1:1 electrolytes at different pressures and concentrations. The membranes were characterized by XRD, FTIR, antibacterial activity and SEM studies. The membranes were found to be crystalline in nature with uniform arrangement of particles without any sign of visible cracks and exhibited excellent inhibitory results against E. coli and P. aeruginosa bacteria. These composite membranes are found to be stable in acidic (1 M H2SO4) as well basic (1 M NaOH) medium and follow the decreasing order of charge density for various 1:1 electrolyte solutions (KCl > NaCl > LiCl) while the transport number of cations are found to be in the order KCl < NaCl < LiCl.