MODIFIED POLYETHERSULFONE MEMBRANES WITH PHOTOCATALYTIC PROPERTIES

Abstract

The photocatalityc nanocomposite membranes with tin(IV) oxide nanoparticles were obtained by "layerby-layer" self-assembly.Polyelectrolyte complexes with different nature were analyzed as a binder for nanocatalysts.PEI was used as a positively charged polyelectrolyte, and CMC, sodium alginate, κor ιcarrageenans were used as negatively charged ones.The presence of SnO 2 on the membrane surface was confirmed by a scanning electron microscopy (SEM).Polyelectrolyte complexation was studied by zeta-potential measurement.The photocatalytic activity of the nanocomposite membranes was evaluated in the process of milk nanofiltration.The modification of polyethersulfone membranes with polyelectrolyte layers and SnO 2 nanoparticles allowed to produce a highly concentrated retentate and membrane flux remained stable for over 8 h.