Study on Poly(ether imide)/Amino-Modified Sillica Hybrid Membranes

Abstract

Poly (ether imide) (PEI) membrane with many good properties, such as chemical resistance, biocompatibility, good thermal, and mechanical properties, has been widely used in filtration and biomedical applications. SiO2particles containing amine groups can be a good enzyme immobilization carrier. Organic-inorganic hybrids of poly (ether imide) and amino-modified SiO2were in situ prepared via sol-gel process in the presence of tetraethylortho silicate (TEOS) in a mixed solvent of N, N-Dimethylacetamide/1-Methyl-2-pyrrolidone (DMAc/NMP). The effects of casting solution composition on the membrane morphological structure and performance were investigated. The dispersion of the inorganic and organic phase in the nanoscale was possible with addition of (3-aminopropyl) triethoxysilane (APTES) as shown by field emission electron microscopy. Membranes with different ratio of APTES/TEOS have quite different properties. Mechanical properties evaluation such as rupture elongation ration and tensile strength tests of the hybrid membranes were carried out. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), pure water fluxes and water contact angle of the hybrid membranes were also characterized. The results show that poly (ether imide)/amino-modified SiO2hybrid membranes have high static adsorption capacity for lysozyme (Lys). Moreover, mechanical properties of the hybrid membranes greatly improve compared to pure PEI membranes.