Novel Polysulfone and Related Sepiolite Nanocomposites for Water Desalination

In this study new types of polysulfone, related sulfonated polysulfones, and also nanocomposites were prepared and investigated for desalination application. For this purpose, a novel monomeric diol was prepared and identified. Through its reactions with bis(4-fluorophenyl)sulfone monomer, the related polysulfones were prepared and characterized. In the second step by the aim of improving the hydrophilic nature of the polymer, the sulfonated groups were introduced into the polysulfone structure by direct sulfonation of dihalide, and in this way copolymers with 20–50 wt% sulfonation content were prepared. Another strategy for improving the hydrophilicity of the polysulfones was applied via the addition of hydrophilic nanoparticles to the polymeric matrix. In this part, by addition of 1, 3, 5, 7, and 10 wt% of sepiolite nanoparticles to the polymeric matrix, the related nanocomposites were prepared. Finally, membranes with 30 wt% of the samples were produced by phase inversion method and the operation tests of the prepared membranes were done and compared.