Biodegradation Process of PSF-PUR Blend Hollow Fiber Membranes Using Escherichia coli Bacteria—Evaluation of Changes in Properties and Porosity

Abstract

This work was focused on biodegradation with <i>Escherichia coli</i> bacteria studies of PSF-PUR blend semipermeable hollow fiber membranes that possibly can undergo a partial degradation process. Hollow fiber membranes were obtained from polysulfone (PSF) and polyurethane (PUR) containing ester bonds in the polymer chain in various weight ratios using two solvents: <i>N</i>,<i>N</i>-Dimethylmethanamide (DMF) or <i>N</i>-Methylpyrrolidone (NMP). The membranes that underwent the biodegradation process were tested for changes in the ultrafiltration coefficient (UFC), retention and cut-off point. Moreover, the membranes were subjected to scanning electron microscopy (SEM), MeMoExplorer^TM Software and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis. The influence of <i>E. coli</i> and its metabolites has been proven by the increase in UFC after biodegradation and changes in the selectivity and porosity of individual membranes after the biodegradation process.