Improved Performance of CaCl2 Incorporated Polyethersulfone Ultrafiltration Membranes

Poly(ethersulfone) (PES)/poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) blend membranes modified with calcium chloride (CaCl2) were prepared by phase inversion method. Effect of CaCl2 on the morphology, filtration and performance characteristics of the PES/PVP membranes was studied in detail. Results indicated that CaCl2 blend membranes possessed better porosity and flux than the pristine PES membrane. Dye separation efficiency of CaCl2 blend membranes was also increased considerably. Especially, the PES/PVP blend membrane with 1 wt% CaCl2 showed highest permeate flux and improved dye rejection. Fouling analysis carried out on CaCl2 blend membranes clearly showed that these membranes possessed better antifouling effect than pure PES membrane. Thus the CaCl2 blended PES/PVP membranes are more promising for the treatment of dye polluted wastewater.