Novel Water-Soluble Poly(terephthalic-co-glycerol-g-fumaric acid) Copolymer Nanoparticles Harnessed as Pore Formers for Polyethersulfone Membrane Modification: Permeability–Selectivity Tradeoff Manipulation

This work presents poly(terephthalic-co-glycerol-g-fumaric acid) (TGF) as a novel water-soluble polymeric nano-additive for the modification of polyethersulfone ultrafiltration membrane. The TGF was harnessed pore former, aiming to improve membrane surface porosity and hydrophilicity. Modified membranes were characterized observe influence varying content on their hydrophilicity, porosity, morphological structure, composition, well entire performance. results disclosed that hydrophilicity modified prepared using 4 wt.% recorded an enhancement by 24% 38%, respectively. Herein, lower contact angle mainly reflection improved but not hydrophilic nature TGF. Furthermore, upon increasing in matrix, more porous structure with longer finger-like micropores formed. Moreover, sponge-like layer clearly appeared near bottom surface. Nevertheless, at optimum (4%), clear water flux BSA retention witnessed values 298 LMH 97%, These demonstrate obtained permeation separation behavior PES/TGF could stand promising choice wastewater treatment applications.