Toughened chitosan-based composite membranes with antibiofouling and antibacterial properties <i>via</i> incorporation of benzalkonium chloride
Fitri Khoerunnisa, Chintia Kulsum, Fitri Dara, Mita Nurhayati, Nisa Nashrah, Siti Fatimah, Amelinda Pratiwi, Hendrawan Hendrawan, Muhamad Nasir, Young Gun Ko, Eng‐Poh Ng, Pakorn Opaprakasit
Abstract
. The permeability and selectivity performances of the composites as filter membranes are examined by employing a dead-end filtration system. Interestingly, enhanced toughness of the membranes is observed as a function of the BKC content. Mechanisms of the structural formation are investigated. The results from SEM, XRD, and FTIR spectroscopy revealed that MWCNT/BKC are located as nanoclusters with π-π stacking interactions, and are covered by PEG chains. The shape of the dispersed domains is spherical at low BKC contents, but becomes elongated at high BKC contents. These act as soft domains with an anisotropic shape with toughening of the brittle chitosan matrix, leading to enhanced durability of the membranes, especially in ultrafiltration applications. The composite membranes also demonstrate improved rejection in dead-end ultrafiltration systems due to high porosity, high hydrophilicity, and the positive charges of the membrane surface.