BACKGROUND: Conductive membranes, such as carbon material modified membrane and nickel metal film could be used for membrane fouling mitigation and energy generation during filtration. However, it is necessary to simplify the preparation process and reduce the cost for practical application. Here, a conducting polymer polypyrrole was polymerized on PVDF membrane surface for conductive membrane preparation via vapor phase polymerization. RESULTS: After modification, the pure water flux was reduced from 3393.26 +/- 222.99 L m(-2) h(-1) to 569.48 +/- 150.82 L m(-2) h(-1). The contact angle was 58.63 degrees for blank membrane after 8 s of delay, which was reduced to 27.53 degrees for modified membrane. During short-term filtration, the modified membrane maintained high, stable flux and low effluent turbidity. The fouling of conductive membrane can be mitigated by 1 V cm(-1) of electric filed during long-term filtration. Better effluent properties were obtained from modified membrane, which were improved further when an electric field was applied. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that the conductive membrane has a smoother and more hydrophilic surface, resulting in better anti-fouling and effluent properties with the assistance of an electric field. (C) 2017 Society of Chemical Industry