Properties of casting solutions and ultrafiltration membranes based on fullerene-polyamide nanocomposites

Poly(phenylene isophtalamide) (PA) was modified by fullerene C-60 using solid-phase method. Novel ultrafiltration membranes based on nanocomposites containing up to 10 wt% of fullerene and carbon black were prepared. Properties of PA/C-60 composites in solutions were studied by light scattering and rheological methods. The relationship between characteristics of casting solutions and properties of nanocomposite membranes was studied. Scanning electron microscopy was used for structural characterization of the membranes. It was found that increase in fullerene content in nanocomposite enhances the membrane rigidity. All nanocomposite membranes were tested in dynamic (ultrafiltration) and static sorption experiments using a solution of protein mixture, with the purpose of studying protein sorption. The membranes modified by fullerene demonstrate the best values of flux reduced recovery after contact with protein solution. It was found that addition of fullerene C-60 to the polymer improves technological parameters of the obtained composite membranes.