Corona-induced graft polymerization for surface modification of porous polyethersulfone membranes

• Published in: Applied surface science 2007-05, Vol.253 (14), p.6052-6059
• Main Authors: Zhu, Li-Ping, Zhu, Bao-Ku, Xu, Li, Feng, Yong-Xiang, Liu, Fu, Xu, You-Yi
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Condensed matter: structure, mechanical and thermal properties; Corona discharge; Disordered solids; Electron and ion emission by liquids and solids; impact phenomena; Exact sciences and technology; Graft polymerization; Organic polymers; Photoemission and photoelectron spectra; Physicochemistry of polymers; Physics; Polymer reactions and polymerization; Porous membrane; Powders, porous materials; Properties and characterization; Structure of solids and liquids; crystallography; Surface modification
• ISSN: 0169-4332; 1873-5584
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apsusc.2007.01.004

Graft polymerization of acrylic acid (AA) onto porous polyethersulfone (PES) membrane surfaces was developed using corona discharge in atmospheric ambience as an activation process followed by polymerization of AA in aqueous solution. The effects of the corona parameters and graft polymerization conditions on grafting yield (GY) of AA were investigated. The grafting of AA on the PES membranes was confirmed by ATR-FTIR and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis. Porosimetry measurements indicate the average pore diameters and porosities of the modified membranes decrease with the increase of the GY. The hydrophilicity and surface wetting properties of the original and modified membranes were evaluated by observing the dynamic changes of water contact angles. It is found that the grafting of AA occurs not only on the membrane surfaces, but also on the pore walls of the cells inside the membrane. The permeability experiments of protein solution reveal that the grafting of PAA endows the modified membranes with enhanced fluxes and anti-fouling properties. The optimized GY of AA is in the range of 150–200 μg/cm 2. In addition, the tensile experiments show the corona discharge treatment with the power lower than 150 W yields little damage to the mechanical strength of the membranes.