Effect of PVP content on the quaternized polysulfone in blend membranes

A series of blend membranes of quaternized polysulfone (QPSF) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) were obtained by a novel method. The procedure of quaternization of chloromethylated polysulfone and the process of blend are synchronous. These blend membranes, prepared with quaternized polysulfone ( QPSF) and polyvinylpyrrolidone ( PVP), were characterized by FTIR, X-ray diffraction (XRD), tensile tests and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The degrees of swelling of the membranes in some solvent were also measured. The ionic resistances of the membranes were measured too. With the increasing of PVP content, the properties of the membranes have changed. The tensile strength of blend membrane dropped while the degrees of swelling of the membranes in water increased. The ionic resistance of the membrane dropped with the PVP content increasing in blend membranes. The polyvinylpyrrolidone PVP) has good compatibility with quaternized polysulfone in blend membranes.