Surface modification of polyethersulfone hollow‐fiber membranes by γ‐ray irradiation

Abstract

Abstract The fouling of ultrafiltration membrane is often caused by gel formation on the membrane surface. This gel layer arises due to concentration polarization or macromolecular adsorption on the membrane surface. The gel layer affects both the hydraulic permeability and the rejection properties of the membrane. In this report, the adsorption of porcine albumin and the concentration polarization effect on modified and unmodified polyethersulfone (PES) hollow‐fiber membrane is studied. PES ultrafiltration hollow‐fiber membranes were modified by the grafting of polyethylene glycol (PEG) polymer on the internal surface using γ‐ray irradiation method. The modified hollow fibers were less susceptible to fouling than were the unmodified fiber. The performance of both modified and unmodified hollow fibers was tested as a function of feed flow rates and protein concentrations. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.