Improving the antifouling property of polypropylene hollow fiber membranes by in situ ultrasonic wave‐assisted polymerization of styrene and maleic anhydride

For the purpose of enhancing the hydrophilicity and antifouling property, styrene‐maleic anhydride copolymer (SMA) was successfully introduced on the surface of polypropylene hollow fiber membranes via in situ ultrasonic wave‐assisted polymerization. It was shown that how to avoid the hydrolysis and esterification of anhydride groups was the key for improving the hydrophilicity and antifouling property of membranes. Some factors were studied in detail, such as solvent, concentration of solution as well as time and temperature of ultrasonic treatment. Results showed that acetone and ethanol as solvents performed different functions during the process of the polymerization, and ethanol, a polar solvent, reacted with anhydride groups to hinder the formation of SMA and improvement of antifouling property. The modified membranes (PPM1 and PPM5) exhibit both high water flux and strong antifouling capability. Besides, antifouling property of modified membranes was very stable, which proved that they can work in reality. This study supplied a new approach to fabricate highly efficient polymeric membranes applicable to wastewater purification. POLYM. ENG. SCI., 59:E51–E58, 2019. © 2018 Society of Plastics Engineers