Optimizing carbon nanotube-reinforced polysulfone ultrafiltration membranes through carboxylic acid functionalization

Multiwalled carbon nanotubes (CNTs) carboxylated to varying weight percentages were added to polysulfone membranes. The degree to which the CNTs were retained within the membrane during membrane production, operation and cleaning was examined as a function of the extent of CNT carboxylation. The effects of CNTs on polymeric membranes – increases in tensile strength, changes in surface hydrophilicity, and changes in membrane permeability – were …