Quaternized polysulfone and graphene oxide nanosheet derived low fouling novel positively charged hybrid ultrafiltration membranes for protein separation

Low fouling novel positively charged hybrid ultrafiltration membranes with adjustable charge density were fabricated from blends of polysulfone (PSf) and quaternized polysulfone (QPSf) in combination with varied fractions of graphene oxide (GO) nanosheets by a non-solvent induced phase separation method. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy in the attenuated total reflection mode, scanning electron microscopy, outer surface zeta potential and contact angle studies were conducted to characterize the morphologies of hybrid membranes, structures, charge and surface properties. Results confirmed the fabrication of porous, hydrophilic and positively charged membranes. The water permeabilities (flux) and antifouling ability of membranes with protein solution were dependent on the fraction of quaternary ammonium groups and GO nanosheets in the membranes matrix. Antifouling ability of membranes was improved after the incorporation of GO nanosheets. In addition, irreversible protein fouling of membranes was substantially decreased with increasing fraction of GO nanosheets (%). The transmission of protein as a function of solution pH and the fraction of GO nanosheets (%) in the membranes was studied for two model proteins (bovine serum albumin; BSA or lysozyme; LYZ). The transmission of BSA or LYZ was controlled by size exclusion and the fraction of GO nanosheets in the membrane matrix. The highest transmission of proteins at their isoelectric points was obtained for membrane containing 2 wt% of GO nanosheets to total weight of polymers.