A novel antibacterial and anti-adhesion membrane was obtained by blending PES with 2,4,6-triaminopyrimidine (TAP) as compatibilizer and AgNO3 as an antibacterial agent. The modified membrane surfaces analyzed by XPS revealed high content of silver (Ag) compared to PES/Ag without compatibilizer. This result was supported by AFM micrographs where PES/TAP/Ag exhibited smoother surface with RMS(nm) 17.49 and R-a(nm) 11.74. From the biofouling point of view, the smoother the surface, the lesser contact area provided thus reducing bacterial adhesion. In addition, PES/TAP/Ag membrane prepared via simple phase inversion technique showed evidence of an anti-adhesion property when tested on Escherichia coil suspension of 1 x 10(4) cells/mL at 37 degrees C. The smooth, anti-adhered surface of PES/TAP/Ag however exhibits better tensile strength up to 52% compared to pristine PES membrane, making it an antibacterial membrane with reduced biofouling potentials in water and waste water treatment. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.