Preparation and characterization of poly methyl methacrylate - sulfonated poly ether ether ketone with Gelatin hydrogel blend membranes for Environmental applications

Abstract

Poly (methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) and Poly (methyl methacrylate)/Sulfonated poly (ether ether ketone) and Gelatin (SPEEK-GEL) blend membranes were prepared by inversion technique in various composition using N, N’- dimethylformamide as solvent. These blend membranes were characterized in terms of pure water flux, water content, porosity and thermal stability. The addition of SPEEK-GEL to the casting solution resulted in the higher pure water flux, water content and porosity. The cross sectional view of the blend membranes was performed with scanning electron microscopy. The effect of the addition of SPEEK-GEL in to the PMMA matrix on the above parameters was studied and the results were discussed. The influences of SPEEK-GEL concentration on permeate flux and rejection of blend membranes was examined by using aqueous Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) protein solution. The influences of transmembrane pressure on permeate flux and rejection was also studied. This investigation was performed for assessing the environmental components in dairy waste water.