Nanofiltration Membranes Synthesized from Polyethyleneimine for Removal of MgSO4 from Aqueous Solution

A novel work was performed for fabrication and modification of composite nanofiltration (NF) membrane by polymerization reaction between polyethyleneimine (PEI) and triphthaloyldechloride (TPC). The main purpose of this work was water treatment. Polysulfone was the main polymer applied as substrate. The result of reaction between PEI and TPC was the formation of polyamide layer on the membrane surface. SiO2 nanoparticles were used as modification agent. The fabricated membranes were characterized by Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Atomic Force Microscope (AFM), contact angle measurement and FTIR analysis. Removal ofMgSO4 as one of the dissolved salts in water was investigated and these fabricated membranes were utilized to remove MgSO4 from water. Properties of substrate in addition to properties of NF membrane such as steric-hindrance and Donnan exclusion led to a rejection of 89% for MgSO4.