Kumar, R.Isloor, A.M.A.F., A.F.Abdul Rashid, S.A.Matsuura, T.2026-02-052013RSC Advances, 2013, 3, 21, pp. 7855-7861https://doi.org/10.1039/c3ra00070bhttps://idr.nitk.ac.in/handle/123456789/26771Biocompatible 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.Antifouling propertyBlend ultrafiltration membranesBovine serum albumin proteins (BSA)Cross-sectional morphologyMembrane hydrophilicityN-methylpyrrolidoneNaturally occurringUltra-filtration membranesBlendingChitosanContact angleHydrophilicityMembranesPhase separationScanning electron microscopyUltrafiltrationPermeation