Polydopamine layered poly (ether imide) ultrafiltration membranes tailored with silver nanoparticles designed for better permeability, selectivity and antifouling

Poly (ether imide) [PEI] ultrafiltration membranes are coated by polydopamine (PD) and immobilized with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) to improve the permeation, contaminant separation and anti-fouling properties. The tailored membranes displayed enhanced permeability (97.2 Lm(-2) h(-1)), hydraulic resistance (13.8 kPa/Lm(-2) h(-1)), average roughness (43 nm), contaminant rejection (>97%) with a higher flux recovery ratio (>95%). PEI/PD/Ag membranes showed anti-biofouling property against gram negative and gram positive bacteria and facilitated the separation of toxic contaminants. The outstanding stability of PD coating and the presence of AgNPs offer effective and safe water separation. (C) 2019 The Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.