Determination of Membrane Protein Fouling by UV Spectroscopy and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy

UV spectroscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were used to investigate the properties and performances of ultrafiltration membranes fabricated with different polymers. Membrane performances were studied by means of permeability and bovine serum albumin filtration. UV spectroscopy results showed that bovine serum albumin rejection was lowest in polyvinylidene fluoride membranes, whereas it was highest in polysulfone membranes. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy data revealed that after bovine serum albumin filtration, resistance of the membranes was increased though double layer capacitances were decreased. Performance data of UV spectroscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy were in correlation with each other. This study demonstrated that electrochemical impedance spectroscopy can be successfully used in filtration membrane studies.