Hydrophilic Modification of PVDF Membrane by Using PHEMA-PDMS-PHEMA Amphiphilic Copolymer as Addictive

The hydrophilic modification of poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) membrane is achieved by using amphiphilic copolymer poly (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)-b-polydimethylsiloxane-b-poly (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA-b-PDMS-b-PHEMA) as addictive. The copolymer is synthesized via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) and the membranes are prepared by non-solvent induced phase separation. The addition of amphiphlic copolymer has significant influence on membrane hydrophilicity and anti-fouling property. As the addictive content increasing, the water contact angle is decreased from 92° to 65°, water flux and pure water recovery rate are increased from 52.9L/m2h to 263.3 L/m2h and 71 to 95%, respectively.