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Superwettable PVDF/PVDF-g-PEGMA Ultrafiltration Membranes
Qidong Wu1, Alberto Tiraferri2, Tong Li3
1Key Laboratory of Deep Earth Science and Engineering (Ministry of Education), College of Architecture and Environment, Institute of New Energy and Low-Carbon Technology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610207, P. R. China.
Superwettable Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) membranes were created by blending with PVDF-graft-poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (PVDF-g-PEGMA). These advanced membranes exhibit enhanced flux, rejection, and fouling resistance.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Surface Science
Background:
- Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) membranes are widely used but suffer from severe fouling due to their inherent hydrophobicity.
- This hydrophobicity limits the application and development of PVDF membranes in various fields.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop superwettable PVDF membranes with improved performance.
- To investigate the relationship between membrane surface properties and wetting behavior.
Main Methods:
- Fabrication of PVDF membranes by blending with PVDF-graft-poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (PVDF-g-PEGMA) at optimized concentrations.
- Characterization of membrane wetting properties using contact angle measurements, surface free energy analysis, and Raman spectroscopy.
- Evaluation of membrane performance including flux, sodium alginate rejection, and flux recovery after fouling.
Main Results:
- Achieved superwettable PVDF membranes with water contact angles dropping to nearly 0° in 0.5 seconds.
- Demonstrated that superwettability arises from synergistic effects of high surface free energy, Wenzel wetting, and PVDF crystalline phase.
- Observed significant improvements in flux, sodium alginate rejection, and flux recovery compared to pristine PVDF membranes.
Conclusions:
- The developed PVDF/PVDF-g-PEGMA membranes exhibit excellent superwettability and antifouling properties.
- These findings offer a promising approach for creating high-performance membranes with enhanced durability and efficiency.
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