Author: Irfan Gustian, Asdim & Evi Maryanti

DOI:

Preparation of composite membranes based on sulfonated polysulfone and activated carbon have been done. Polysulfone was sulfonated through homogeneous method using sulfonating agent trimethylsilyl chlorosulfonate. Activated carbon derived from coal tailings which then carbonized at temperature of 400 °C and activated through chemical activation in 30% of phosphoric acid with ratio of 0.5: 1 volume per weight of phosphoric acid and carbon. The composite membranes was prepared by blending the sulfonated polysulfone and activated carbon with mass ratios of 1:1; 1:1.5; and 1:2. Dimethyl formamide used to dissolve the sulfonated polysulfone, with stirring for 12 hours at room temperature. The manufacture of composite membranes have been done by evaporating dimethyl formamide of each variation. The composite membranes were characterized by FT-IR, TGA, and XRD analysis. From the results of FT-IR spectra showed that interaction between sulfonated polysulfone and activated carbon. Whereas the results of TGA analysis showed a slight increase in stability over temperature range of 100 °C to 250 °C. From diffractogram pattern shows amorphous phase have reduced due to the addition of activated carbon, The maximum conductivity (σ) has been measured for the composite membranes 1: 2 as 8.8 x 10^-4 at 40 °C .

Keywords: Composite, membranes, sulfonated polysulfone, activated carbon, conductivity.