Biofouling Mitigation Using Graphene Oxide Functionalized Polyethylenimine/Sulfonated Polysulfone Composite Membranes

Biofouling is a major concern in membrane filtration which could adversely have an effect on the overall membrane performance. To address this issue herein, we prepared polyethylenimine-grafted graphene oxide (GO-PEI) as a filler material to be used in the sulfonated polysulfone membrane (SPES). The PEI grafting on GO and successful sulfonation of PES was confirmed by the FTIR spectroscopy. Thermal properties of both polymer and filler were evaluated via thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Surface morphology of the GO before and after PEI grafting was conducted using SEM and EDX. The presence of large amount of amine groups on the GO surface and the sulfone groups in the SPES are expected to enhance the membranes anti-fouling and anti-microbial properties. Moreover, these groups are also responsible for the strong hydrogen bonding which can improve the mechanical properties as well as dispersibility of the GO-PEI in the membrane. © 2022, The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.