Cross-linked PVC/hyperbranched polyester composite hollow fiber membranes for dye removal

Abstract To prepare a new type of composite membrane with high flux and good dye removal performance, hyperbranched polyester (HPE) was selected as the reactive macromonomer and a cross-linked HPE skin layer was successfully formed on the PVC-UF membrane via one-step acteal reaction between HPE and glutaraldehyde (GA) from aqueous emulsion. The resultant membranes were characterized using ATR-FTIR, FESEM, surface zeta potential and CA, while the effects of GA concentration and heat treatment time on their performance were evaluated by permeate flux and rejection rate of sunset yellow (SY). The obtained HPE-M5 membrane exhibited a SY rejection rate of 96.4% and a permeate flux of 237.6 L m − 2  h − 1 at 0.4 MPa. Due to the good stability and the feasibility of backwashing treatment, the prepared composite hollow fiber membrane has a promising perspective of application in dye removal.