Kumar, R.Isloor, A.M.Ismail, A.F.Rashid, S.A.Matsuura, T.2020-03-312020-03-312013RSC Advances, 2013, Vol.3, 21, pp.7855-7861https://idr.nitk.ac.in/handle/123456789/12574Biocompatible and naturally occurring chitosan was used as an additive for the preparation of a polysulfone ultrafiltration membrane. Two different compositions of polysulfone in N-methylpyrrolidone (NMP) and chitosan in 1% acetic acid were blended to prepare PSf-CS ultrafiltration membranes by the diffusion induced phase separation (DIPS) method. The proper blending of polysulfone and chitosan in PSf-CS membranes was confirmed by ATR-IR analysis. The surface and cross-sectional morphology of the membranes was studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The membrane hydrophilicity was determined by water uptake and contact angle measurements. The PSf-CS membrane showed an enhanced hydrophilicity compared to a PSf ultrafiltration membrane. The time dependent permeation studies revealed the improved flux of PSf-CS membranes. PSf-CS membranes were subjected to bovine serum albumin (BSA) protein rejection studies. An improved antifouling property was observed for PSf-CS blend membranes as compared to pristine PSf ultrafiltration membranes. Both the permeation and antifouling properties of PSf-CS membranes increased with an increase in chitosan composition. 2013 The Royal Society of Chemistry.Article