Synthesis and characterization of composite polyethersulfone (PES) membranes with polyethylene glycol (PEG) and heparin-chitosan (Hep-CS)

Abstract

A PES-based membranes was prepared by casting a thin layer of heparin grafted PEG modified chitosan (CS) on a PES membrane. PEG addition on the process of making flat sheet PES membrane was observed through its mechanical and thermal properties. PEG concentrations were varied with PES polymer to obtain a membrane with the optimum composition. The blended membrane was characterized for its functional groups, tensile strength, and hydrophilicity. The results showed that PEG blended PES membrane gave a considerable mechanical strength. The presence of non-covalent interactions between PEG and PES played an important role on improving the mechanical and thermal properties of the membrane material. The increase amount of PEG improved the hydrophilicity property and permeability to creatinine of the membrane.