Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, Vol.515, 152-159, 2018
Microstructures and performances of pegylated polysulfone membranes from an in situ synthesized solution via vapor induced phase separation approach
In situ pegylated (PEGylated) microporous membranes have been extensively reported using polyethylene glycol) (PEG)-based polymers as blending additives. Alternatively, free standing PEGylated polysulfone (PSf) membranes with excellent hydrophilicity and antifouling ability were directly fabricated from polysulfone/poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (PSf/PEGMA) solutions after in situ cross linking polymerization without any treatment via vapor induced phase separation (VIPS) process for the first time. The microstructures and performances of the resulting membranes shifted regularly by adjusting exposure time of the liquid film in humid air. With increasing exposure time, plenty of worm-like networks formed and distributed on membrane surfaces, meanwhile cross-sectional morphology changed from asymmetric finger-like microporous structure to symmetric cellular-like structure, resulting in better mechanical stability. As the exposure time raised from 0 to 5 min, the surface coverage of carboxyl groups increased from similar to 1.1 to 4.0 mol%, leading to the decrease in water contact angle from similar to 63 to 27 degrees and the increase in water flux from similar to 110 to 512 L m(-2) h(-1). In addition, at prolonged exposure time, increasing hydrophilic PEG chains migrated to membrane surfaced and repelled the adsorption and deposition of protein, resulting in better antifouling ability. The findings of this study offer a facile and high efficient strategy for flexible design and fabrication of the in situ PEGylated membranes with desirable structures and performances in large scale. (C) 2018 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Keywords:Polysulfone membranes;In situ PEGylation;In situpolymerization;Vapor induced phase separation;Antifouling