Biodegradation Process of PSF-PUR Blend Hollow Fiber Membranes Using Escherichia coli Bacteria—Evaluation of Changes in Properties and Porosity

Abstract

This work was focused on biodegradation with Escherichia coli bacteria studies of PSF-PUR blend semipermeable hollow fiber membranes that possibly can undergo a partial degradation process. Hollow fiber membranes were obtained from polysulfone (PSF) and polyurethane (PUR) containing ester bonds in the polymer chain in various weight ratios using two solvents: N,N-Dimethylmethanamide (DMF) or N-Methylpyrrolidone (NMP). The membranes that underwent the biodegradation process were tested for changes in the ultrafiltration coefficient (UFC), retention and cut-off point. Moreover, the membranes were subjected to scanning electron microscopy (SEM), MeMoExplorerTM Software and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis. The influence of E. coli and its metabolites has been proven by the increase in UFC after biodegradation and changes in the selectivity and porosity of individual membranes after the biodegradation process.