Tunable Hydrophilicity in PES-Based Nanofiber Membranes via Oxygen Plasma Treatment

To tailor surface chemistry and wettability for advanced membrane applications, this study investigates PES-, PES-PVP-, and PES-GO-based nanofiber membranes modified through oxygen plasma treatment. The plasma process introduced reactive functional groups, including SO₃H, C=O, and OH, onto the fiber surfaces, converting the membranes from hydrophobic to super-hydrophilic and enhancing their surface reactivity. This modification enabled tunable wettability, allowing controlled adjustment of the membrane's hydrophilic behavior. Overall, the results demonstrate the effectiveness of plasma engineering in developing versatile nanofiber membranes with customizable surface properties for a wide range of applications.