Preparation, Characterization and Application Studies of PVDF- PS Ultrafiltration Membranes

Polyvinyledenefluoride–polystyrene (PVDF/PS) blend ultrafiltration membranes were prepared using phase inversion technique. Casting solutions were prepared with different compositions of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) and polystyrene (PS) both in the presence and absence of the additive, polyvinylpyrolidone (PVP) using dimethylacetamide as solvent. The effects of compositions of PS and concentrations of PVP on shrinkage ratio, pure water flux, percentage of water content and porosity of the blend ultrafiltration membranes were studied and results are discussed. It was found that with the increase in PS and PVP in the blend, the shrinkage ratio decreased while the pure water flux, water content and porosity of the membrane increased. The morphology of the blend membranes were obtained by scanning electron microscope . Further, the application of the PVDF/PS blend membranes in separation of toxic heavy metal ions from aqueous streams were also attempted and the results are discussed. Keyword: Polyvinylidene fluoride, polyvinylpyrolidone, polystyrene, ultrafiltration membranes ,shrinkage ratio, metal ions.