본 연구에서는 한외여과 polysulfone (PSf) 중공사막에 첨가제를 섞는 방법을 통해 친수성 증가에 따른 분리막 특성 및 성능을 향상하고자 하였다. 15 nm 크기의 fumed silica (FS)를 0.1, 0.3, 0.5 wt%로 방사 용액에 분산시켜 혼합 매트릭스 분리막을 제조하였다. 단면 및 표면상태를 확인하기 위해 SEM 분석을 진행하였으며, FS가 함유될수록 중공사막의 평균 기공 반경이 4 nm 이상 증가하는 것을 확인하였다. 또한, 분리막의 친수성 분석을 위해 접촉각 측정을 진행하였으며, FS 함유로 분리막의 친수성이 높아진 것을 확인하였다. 수투과도의 경우 FS가 섞인 분리막은 91~96 LMH 수준을 보였으며 PSf 분리막보다 5~11%의 증가율을 보였다. 내오염성 평가에서도 친수도가 상승한 FS 혼합 중공사막 표면에 소수성을 띄는 BSA가 흡착되지 못하여 상대 유량 감소율이 PSf 단일막 보다 낮아졌음을 확인하였다.
This study was conducted to improve the membrane characteristics and performance by increasing hydrophilicity by adding additives to the ultrafiltration polysulfone (PSf) hollow fiber membrane. The mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) were prepared by dispersing 15 nm of fumed silica (FS) in the spinning solution at 0.1, 0.3 and 0.5 wt%. SEM analysis was carried out to confirm the cross-section and surface condition. It was confirmed that mean pore radius of the hollow fiber increased by 4 nm as FS was added. In addition, contact angle measurement was carried out for the hydrophilicity analysis of hollow fiber membranes, and it was confirmed that the hydrophilicity of MMMs were increased by adding of FS. In the case of water permeability, the membrane including FS showed 91~96 LMH and showed 5~11% more increase than PSf membrane. In the antifouling performance test, relative flux reduction ratios of FS mixed hollow fiber membranes were lower than that of PSf membranes, and it was confirmed that increase of hydrophilicity hinders adsorption of hydrophobic BSA on the membrane surface.