Abstract:
Current study is about the grafting of PtBA polymer brushes on the Surface of TFC PA
membrane via ATRP which took place through four phases namely functionalization of
TFC PA by APTMS, bromination of APTMS functionalized membrane, growth of
PtBA polymer brushes on TFC PA membrane and then the hydrolysis of polymer
brushes grown membrane. Contact angle analysis, optical profilometry and FTIR
analysis has been done at each step of grafting. Morphology, permeation flux, salt
rejection and pore size was investigated. The contact angle for water has been reduced
from 51° to 34° due to conversion of PtBA to PAA which results in increase in hydrophilicity. The flux rate has also been increased from 75 L/m2.hr to 80 L/m2.hr at
pH 3. Salt rejection is lowered from 98.8 to 95% but it remains in the acceptable range.
The result membrane has better hydrophilicity and permeation flux. The tensile testing
of membrane has shown that due to the grafting of PAA on the membrane surface, the
mechanical strength of the membrane has been increased appreciable
