Poly(vinylidene fluoride)‐<i>graft</i>‐Poly(<i>N</i>‐vinyl‐2‐pyrrolidone) Copolymers Prepared via a RAFT‐Mediated Process and their Use in Antifouling and Antibacterial Membranes

Abstract

PNVP-g-PVDF copolymers were synthesized and used to produce microfiltration membranes. The pore size and distribution varied with the grafting concentration and the density of graft points. A significant decrease of the amounts of adsorbed BSA indicated improved antifouling properties of PVDF. The MF membranes were further functionalized via surface-initiated block copolymerization with DMAEMA to obtain (PVDF-g-PNVP)-b-PDMAEMA MF membranes. Quaternization of the tertiary amine groups of the PDMAEMA brushes gave rise to a high concentration of quaternary ammonium salt on the membrane surfaces. The bactericidal effect of the QAS-functionalized membranes on E. coli was also demonstrated and discussed.