Fouling propensity and separation efficiency of epoxidated polyethersulfone incorporated cellulose acetate ultrafiltration membrane in the retention of proteins

[Display omitted] ► Epoxy functionalized polyethersulfone was prepared. ► CA/EPES ultrafiltration membranes were developed by phase inversion technique. ► Compatibility, morphology and separation efficiency of the membranes were studied. ► Fouling propensity of the membranes was studied by BSA as the model foulant. ► Degree reversible and irreversible fouling and flux recovery ratio were calculated. Epoxidated polyethersulfone (EPES) incorporated cellulose acetate (CA) ultrafiltration membranes were prepared by diffusion induced precipitation technique in the absence and presence of pore former polyethyleneglycol-600. Effect of blend ratio on the compatibility, thermal stability, mechanical strength, hydrophilicity, morphology, pure water flux, protein adsorption resistance, protein separation efficiency and fouling propensity of the CA/EPES blend membranes was evaluated. Addition of EPES results in the formation of thin separating layer and spongy sub layer in CA/EPES blend membranes. The efficiency of these membranes in the separation of commercially important proteins such as bovine serum albumin, egg albumin, pepsin and trypsin was studied and found to be enhanced as compared to CA membranes. The fouling-resistant capability of the membranes was studied by bovine serum albumin as the model foulant and flux recovery ratio of the membranes were calculated. Attempts have been made to correlate the changes in membrane morphology with pure water flux, hydraulic resistance, thermal and mechanical stability, separation efficiency and antifouling property of the CA/EPES membranes. The optimal combination of CA and EPES, thus allows the preparation of high performance UF membranes which are sufficiently dense to retain proteins and at the same time give economically viable fluxes.