Influence of the presence of surfactant (Pluronic 123) in the synthesis of asymmetric Polysulfone (PSF) membranes

Polysulfone (PSF) membranes are considered one of the most important materials to be used for separation processes with large benefits due to their hydrolytic stability, chemical resistance, high strength, creep resistance, etc. The wastewaters purification represents one of the most interesting aims in the context of a sustainable economy. In order to have polysulfone (PSF) membranes with appropriate properties, different strategies are applied. In the present work we investigated the introduction of surfactant (Pluronic-123) in the synthesis process. The Polysulfone (PSF) asymmetric membranes were prepared by the Phase Inversion (PI) method through non-solvent coagulation bath (NS-CB). The membranes have been characterized and determined the experimental parameters. The initial addition of surfactants (Pluronic-123) in the solution was evaluate to manage the macro-voids formation inside the membrane. The comparison of XRD profiles in the membranes with surfactant for the possible products formation from Pluronic-123, reveals that no significant difference was generated from surfactant introduction. The contact angles results are in the range 70-90° therefore the samples are enough hydrophilic. The water uptake and porosity analysis prove that the retention of water increase with the surfactant addition. Dinamo-mechanical analysis shows that the membranes with surfactant suffer a reduction of Tg caused by a mechanical stability reduction. SEM results (Figure 1) shows the morphology of the membrane.