Investigation of Electroactive and Antibacterial Properties of Polyethersulfone Membranes Blended With Copper Nanoparticles

Abstract

In this study, copper nanoparticles (CuNPs) were synthesized by sonochemical reduction of copper(II) hydrazine carboxylate complex in an aqueous medium. Asymmetric neat polyethersulfone (PES) and PES/CuNPs nanocomposite membranes were prepared via phase inversion method by dispersing copper nanoparticles in the PES casting solutions. X‐ray diffraction and particle size distribution analyses were applied to characterize the CuNPs. Moreover, field emission scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), conductive atomic force microscopy (C‐AFM), contact angle goniometry, and four‐point probe techniques were used to investigate the physical and morphological properties of the PES/CuNPs nanocomposite membranes. Synthesized CuNPs were added into the casting solution at different concentrations. The effect of CuNPs concentration (0, 0.25, 0.5, 1.0, 2.0%, w/w) was tested on morphological changes and antibacterial properties of the prepared membranes. These copper nanoparticle composite membranes hold great promise in the engineering field for the production of sensors and self‐cleaning membranes.