Enhancing antifouling characteristics and performance against protein macromolecule foulant on PVDF membrane ultrafiltration with eco-friendly Arabic gum additive

Abstract

This study investigated the effects of Arabic gum (AG) on the separation performance of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membranes. The membrane properties were characterized using scanning electron microscope energy dispersive X-ray (SEM–EDX), Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR), tensile strength tester, and contact angle. Results showed that incorporating AG from 0.5 wt% to 1.5 wt% into PVDF membrane could increase pure water flux from 47.46 L/m² h to 66.04 L/m² h and porosity from 53% to 58%. Moreover, the highest flux recovery was obtained by PVDF/AG-1.5 membrane, revealing the improvement in fouling resistance against bovine serum albumin (BSA). However, the addition of AG from 0.5 wt% to 1.5 wt% did not affect to increase of membrane mechanical strength and the efficiency of the membranes for BSA rejection. SEM, XRD and FTIR analyses confirmed the successful incorporation of AG, which improved membrane surface hydrophilicity compared to the pristine PVDF membrane. Overall, the obtained result showed that incorporating AG could attain synergy benefits in enhancing the membrane properties and performance.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Antifouling
• Arabic gum
• PVDF
• ultrafiltration membrane

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Universitas Negeri Semarang for the research funding through the Implementation of Research Funds for DIPA UNNES 2022 Number: 116.8.4/UN37/PPK.3.1/2022, April 8, 2022. The authors would also thank the Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Negeri Semarang; Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Diponegoro University; Integrated Laboratory Diponegoro University; and Membrane Research Center (Mer-C) for the supporting facilities while conducting this project.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).