Modification of Polysulfone (PSF) Hollow Fiber Membrane (HFM) with Zwitterionic or Charged Polymers

Abstract

Membrane fouling is a critical problem limiting membrane performance and application lifetime. Zwitterionic polymers are highly resistant to irreversible membrane foulants because of their hydrated structure and charge neutral characteristics. The objectives of this study were to improve membrane antifouling performance with zwitterionic polymer modifications and to gain a better understanding of the factors affecting the process. We used polysulfone hollow fiber, instead of flat-sheet membranes, for the study because of its common industrial applications for ultrafiltration. Different characterization methods including scanning electron microscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, attenuated total reflectance Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, contact angle goniometry, and cyclic filtration tests of deionized water and bovine serum albumin were applied to characterize the membrane and evaluate the performance of pristine and modified HFMs. Results showed that membrane fouling was significantly decreased by grafting the zwitterion carboxybetaine methacrylate (CBMA) via atom transfer radical polymerization. Positively charged [2-(acryloyloxy)ethyl] trimethylammonium chloride with a quaternary amine end group and negatively charged 2-carboxyethyl acrylate with a carboxyl end group were grafted separately as charged polymer controls. These charged polymers improved the membrane antifouling property but not to the same extent as the membrane with the zwitterionic polymers. Compared with the pristine PSF HFMs, all modified membranes exhibited enhanced hydrophilicity and antifouling property.

A Comprehensive Review on Polymeric Nano-Composite Membranes for Water Treatment

“…Antai et al [173][174][175][176][177][178][179][180][181][182][183][184][185][186][187] ) within GO was done via three different methods such as Pre-incorporation, Post-incorporation and Filter-incorporation. Metal cations used for membrane preparation used were non-toxic, environment friendly and cheap [188][189][190][191][192][193][194].…”

Enhancement of the Fouling Resistance of Zwitterion Coated Ceramic Membranes

“…To reduce fouling, surface modifications including zwitterion molecules to polymeric membranes have been proposed [ 35 , 36 , 37 , 38 , 39 , 40 ]. In particular, poly(sulfobetaine methacrylate) (polySBMA) is a zwitterion polymer that is formed by a methacrylate main chain and a sulfobetaine analogue as the pendant group, holding both positive and negative functional groups [ 41 , 42 ].…”

Outstanding antifouling performance of poly(vinylidene fluoride) membranes: Novel amphiphilic brushlike copolymer blends and one‐step surface zwitterionization

“…For decades, zwitterions have emerged as a new generation of antifouling materials because of their strong affinity with water molecules via electrostatic interactions, which can energetically and kinetically resist protein adsorption . Therefore, lots of studies have been carried out to introduce zwitterions onto the membrane surface . Generally, surface engineering, such as grafting or coating for zwitterionic membrane modification, is still limited by complicated preparation processes, plugging of the membrane pores, flux reduction, and instability of coating issues .…”