Cross-Linked Networks of 1,6-Hexanedithiol with Gold Nanoparticles to Improve Permeation Flux of Polyethersulfone Membrane

Abstract

It is a great challenge to design and prepare polymeric membranes with excellent permeability and good rejection. In this study, a modifier of gold nanoparticles for crosslinking and self-assembly by 1,6-hexanedithiol is fabricated and used to modify the polyethersulfone membrane as an additive, which forms a uniform porous membrane by liquid–liquid phase conversion technology. The morphology of the membrane is investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), the change of the hydrophilicity of the membrane surface after modification is measured by the contact angle goniometer, and the performance of the fabricated membrane is measured by evaluating the pure water flux and the rejection ratio of bovine serum albumin. The results indicate that the permeability of the modified membrane has a significant improvement. When the mass fraction of the modifying agent is 5 wt%, the water flux of the modified membrane reaches up to 131.6 L m−2 h−1, and has a good rejection ratio to bovine serum albumin. In short, this work plays an important role in improving the flux of the membrane and maintaining good separation performance.