The Role of Polyvinylpyrrolidone as a Pore Former on Microstructure and Performance of Polysulfone Membranes

Abstract

In this study, the effect of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as a pore former on the performance ofpolysulfone (PSF) membrane was studied. XRD spectra revealed that a crystalline-to-amorphous phasetransition occurred with the increasing PVP amount. SEM results indicated the shape and size of macrovoids inthe membranes were altered with the increasing PVP amount in the polymer solution. The Tg values for the pure PSFand of 5 wt% PVP added PSF membrane were measured as 189 and 182 °C, respectively. The performances of themembranes were determined by using the pure water flux (PWF) measurements. The PWF of the membranes increasedfrom 36.76 to 86.80 L m -2 h -1 with the increase of PVP amount (0 to 10 wt %) in PSF polymer solution. The relationshipbetween PWF and PVP content was explained with the increased thermodynamic instability and kinetic hindrance.