Investigation of mechanical properties studies between single and double layer polysulfone substrate membrane for desalination process / Mohamad Aidil Shahfitri Azaman

Water scarcity is a growing global concern, particularly in arid regions where access to clean and potable water is limited. Desalination has emerged as a viable solution to address this issue, with reverse osmosis (RO) being the most widely used desalination technology. However, the efficiency and longevity of RO systems depend heavily on the mechanical properties of the membranes used. Polysulfone (PSF) membranes are commonly employed in desalination due to their excellent thermal and chemical stability. However, single-layer PSF substrates often break under high pressure, which leads to frequent replacements and high costs. This study compares the tensile strength of single and double layer PSF substrate which are better for desalination using a Universal Tensile Machine (UTM). Results showed that double layer PSF substrate were 60.3 stronger than single layer ones because they distribute stress better and provide more durability. While single layers are more flexible, they are not suitable or strong enough for long term use in desalination. This study suggests that double layer membranes are better option for high pressure desalination. Future research should focus on conducting more testing for mechanical properties such as bending and tearing and improving membranes by adding nanoparticles such as Titanium Dioxide to further improve durability.