We developed a positively charged membrane with acid resistance via the introduction of a branched-poly(ethyleneimine) (b-PEI) hydrogel layer onto the surface of a polyethersulfone (PES) membrane, which was achieved by immobilization of b-PEI at the PES membrane surface using cross-linking agent. The combined results of ATR FT-IR, XPS and FE-SEM measurements confirmed that the b-PEI hydrogel layer was successfully coated on the PES NF membrane surface. In particular, the b-PEI hydrogel coated membrane surface had positive charge at whole pH range. The positively charged surface could enhance multivalent ion rejection. As a result, the membrane effectively recovered acid substance under strong acidic condition. Moreover, the selective separation was well preserved after exposure to highly concentrated sulfuric acid solution.

• 윤태선(서울대학교 재료공학부) | Taeseon Yun
• 곽승엽(서울대학교 재료공학부) | Seung-Yeop Kwak