Optimizing Production and Modification of Surface Morphology of Nano-Fibrous Polysulfone Membranes

The scope of this research was to model and optimize the electrospun parameters for the production of nanofiber membrane from polysulfone (PSF) polymer using the response surface methodology (RSM) with application in membrane systems. For this purpose, the influence of applied voltage (12-18 KV), flow rate (0.3-0.6 mL/h), the distance between needle and collector (10.5-17.5 cm) and effect of non-ionic surfactant Triton x-100 (TR-100) on the morphology and structure of nanofibers membrane was investigated. The optimal conditions for the fabrication of nanofibers were found to be as follow: the voltage 16.31 kV, the flow rate 0.39 mL/h, and the spinning distance 15.45 cm. The results of SEM demonstrated that with the addition of the surfactant, the fiber diameter reduced about 20% and the morphological properties of PSF nanofiber improved and homogeneous nanofibers have been produced. The contact angle of the developed nanofibers demonstrated that their surfaces were hydrophobic (PSF and PSF/TR-100).