Synthesis and characterization of cellulose acetate blend ultrafiltration membranes: The effect of degrees of substitution

Cellulose acetate (CA), a hydrophilic membrane material, was selected to prepare ultrafiltration membrane for the aim of achieving high-performance membranes with respect to flux and rejection characteristics. In order to prepare membranes with improved properties, blending of cellulose acetates with different degrees of substititution(DS) has been attempted. In this study, polymeric blend ultrafiltration membranes based on cellulose acetate with different DS were prepared by phase inversion technique. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and contact angle are used to understand the influence of DS on the properties of modified membranes. The blend membranes prepared were subjected to the separation of egg albumin (EA). The separation and permeate flux efficiencies of the blend membranes were discussed.