Enhancing the performance of a hybrid porous polysulfone membrane impregnated with green Ag/AgO additives derived from the Parkia speciosa

The use of green and environmental-friendly resources is a priority in scientific research nowadays. In this study, the seeds, pods and leaves of the Parkia speciosa were used as a reduction agent in the green synthesis of Ag/AgO nanoparticle additives. The synthesized Ag/AgO nanoparticles were blended into a polymer dope during the preparation of a porous asymmetric PSf mixed-matrix ultrafiltration membrane by the phase-inversion method. Analysis on the structural properties proved that the nanoparticles had a small average of particles size (34.65 nm). A morphological analysis showed the modified membrane, which had been impregnated with Ag/AgO nanoparticles (1.0 wt %) derived from the leaves (PL), achieved the optimum properties and increased permeation of water flux, rejection of humic acid, and anti-fouling, with the lowest internal resistance, besides a large antibacterial inhibition ring. This demonstrated that the existence of green Ag/AgO additives enhanced the function of the hybrid polymer-based ultrafiltration membrane.