In situ synthesized amphiphilic polysulfone‐poly(ethylene‐glycol) block copolymer/silver nanocomposite for separating oil/water emulsion

Abstract

This work reports the synthesis of silver nanoparticles from the precursors, silver nitrate and sodium bromide, and the in situ synthesis of polysulfone (PSf)‐poly(ethylene‐glycol) (PEG) block copolymer (BCP) in the presence of developed Ag. The PSf‐PEG BCP nanocomposite containing 3 wt.% of the nanoparticles, when electrospun, is observed to be helpful in separating the oil‐in‐water emulsion. Mechanical properties such as dynamic mechanical strength and tensile strength measurements and high thermal degradation temperature (~6°C) illustrate the reinforcing effect of the Ag nanoparticles. The presence of Ag influences the glass transition temperature ( T _g ) of the BCP and its elasticity due to its well distribution in the BCP during the in situ synthesis of nanocomposite. Electrospun fiber mat of the in situ synthesized PSf‐PEG/Ag nanocomposite shows improved wettability as evident from the respective aqueous contact angle values of 80.66° ± 1.3, 85.70° ± 2.0, and 101.50° ± 1.0 for PSf‐PEG/Ag, PSf‐PEG, and neat PSf. The combination of PEG to PSf has increased the overall polymer reinforcement effect, and this property along with the antimicrobial activity (inhibited growth of Staphylococcus aureus) of Ag nanoparticles are applied in developing bio‐fouling resistant BCP nanocomposite fibers for oil/water emulsion separation.