Antibacterial PES-CA-Ag₂O nanocomposite supported Cu nanoparticles membrane toward ultrafiltration, BSA rejection and reduction of nitrophenol

Nanocomposite membrane (PES-CA-Ag₂O) with disinfection properties were developed by inclusion of silver oxide (Ag₂O) in polyethersulfone (PES) and cellulose acetate (CA) polymers. Pure PES, CA, PES-CA and nanocomposite membranes were prepared by casting method. Further copper (Cu) nanoparticles were grown on the surface of PES-CA membrane (Cu⁰@PES-CA) and nanocomposite membrane (Cu⁰@PES-CA-Ag₂O). Structures, compositions and morphologies of all the prepared membranes were confirmed by XRD, FTIR and FESEM techniques. Various properties of PES, CA, PES-CA, PES-CA-Ag₂O, Cu⁰@PES-CA and Cu⁰@PES-CA-Ag₂O were comprehensively studied including water permeation flux, porosity, bovine serum albumin (BSA) rejection, mechanical properties and contact angle measurement. Permeability of the PES-CA and PES-CA-Ag₂O was around 63.3 and 92.88 L·h^− 1·m^− 2 bar^− 1 while after growing Cu nanoparticles on the surface of PES-CA and PES-CA-Ag₂O, the water permeability reached 72.5 and 100.2 L·h^− 1·m^− 2 bar^− 1. PES-CA-Ag₂O and Cu⁰@PES-CA-Ag₂O also showed reasonable porosity. PES-CA-Ag₂O and Cu⁰@PES-CA-Ag₂O displayed a marked increase in BSA rejection (88.8 and 89.5, respectively) and the contact angle decreased from 73° to 63.5° and 60.25°, respectively proving the hydrophilic nature of the synthesized materials. Removal of toxic p-nitrophenol from aqueous media is challenging task due to its sorption fouling and tough degradation at lower concentrations. Catalytic reduction capacity of the Cu⁰@PES-CA and Cu⁰@PES-CA-Ag₂O membranes for different substituted phenols were studied comprehensively Conclusively, unprecedented catalytic potential was observed. Finally, in vitro anti-bacterial activity of the synthesized materials was also investigated against E. coli with promising potential.