Electrochemical Deposition of Zinc Oxide on the Surface of Composite Membrane Polysulfone-Graphene-Polystyrene in the Presence of Water Soluble Polymers

Abstract

The aim of this study consisted in the development of an alternative synthesis procedure for hybrid ultrafiltration membranes for water purification. The membranes were obtained by wet-phase inversion method based on aliquots of polysulfone (PSF) and graphene nanoplatelets modified with poly(styrene) (G-PST). The hybrid materials were modified by electrochemical deposition of zinc oxide (ZnO) on one side of the membranes in the presence of water soluble polymers. Raman, XPS, and TGA analyses were used to characterize the chemical and thermal characteristics of the PST-G. SEM analysis showed the formation of asymmetric porous configuration in all cases and the generation of ZnO with different shapes/structures on the bottom surface of the membrane or inside the porous channels. EDS analysis confirmed the formation of ZnO.