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8246499 
Journal Article 
Investigations on ultrafiltration polyethersulfone membranes modified with titanate nanotubes of various characteristics 
Szymański, K; Darowna, D; Czyżewski, A; Sienkiewicz, P; Mozia, S 
2021 
Yes 
Desalination and Water Treatment
ISSN: 1944-3994
EISSN: 1944-3986 
214 
302-311 
English 
The influence of various types of titanate nanotubes (TNTs) on the morphology, water permeability and antifouling performance of the mixed matrix polyethersulfone (PES) ultrafiltration (UF) membranes was examined. Moreover, the effect of the procedure of the dispersion of the nanoma-terial (direct sonication – using ultrasonic probe vs. indirect sonication – using ultrasonic bath) in the polymer solvent on the membrane properties was determined. The membranes were prepared via wet-phase inversion using N,N-dimethylformamide as a solvent. Three types of TNTs (1 wt.% vs. PES) were applied as nanofillers: nanotubes prepared hydrothermally from Aeroxide® TiO2 P25 (Evonik, Germany) – P25-TNTs or pure anatase (Sigma-Aldrich, USA) – A-TNTs, as well as commercially available XFJ46 (XFNANO). The membranes were characterized based on scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy. Both the procedure of casting dope preparation and the TNTs morphology had an influence on the properties of the membranes. The highest resistance to fouling by bovine serum albumin exhibited the membrane prepared with application of P25-TNTs and indirect sonication. The membranes fabricated using direct sonication were characterized by the highest pure water flux. Addition of fine P25-TNTs and XFJ-TNTs was more beneficial for improvement of water permeability than incorporation of larger and thicker A-TNTs. © 2021 Desalination Publications. All rights reserved. 
Bovine serum albumin; Fouling; Polyethersulfone membrane; Titanate nanotubes; Ultrafiltration