Surface modification of polysulfone membranes by low-temperature plasma-graft poly(ethylene glycol) onto polysulfone membranes

• Published in: Journal of applied polymer science Vol. 78; no. 5; pp. 979 - 985
• Main Authors: Song, Yan-Qiu, Sheng, Jing, Wei, Min, Yuan, Xu-Bo
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York John Wiley & Sons, Inc 31.10.2000; Wiley
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Exact sciences and technology; Exchange resins and membranes; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; graft poly(ethylene glycol); low-temperature plasma; Polymer industry, paints, wood; polysulfone membrane surface modification; Technology of polymers; Plasma; Surface reaction; Sulfone polymer; Graft copolymer; Ethylene oxide copolymer; Experimental study; Property processing relationship; Sulfone copolymer; Quantitative surface analysis; Chemical coupling; Ethylene oxide polymer; Chemical modification; Wettability; Surface properties; Membrane; Surface energy
• ISSN: 0021-8995; 1097-4628
• DOI: 10.1002/1097-4628(20001031)78:5<979::AID-APP60>3.0.CO;2-U

A novel and general method of modifying hydrophobic polysulfone (PSF) to produce highly hydrophilic surfaces was developed. This method is the low‐temperature plasma technique. Graft polymer‐modified surfaces were characterized with the help of Fourier transform infrared attenuated total reflection (FTIR–ATR) and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Study results demonstrated that poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) could be grafted onto the PSF membrane surface by low‐temperature plasma. The hydrophilic character of the modified surfaces was increased in comparison with that of the parent membrane. The contact angle for a modified PSF membrane was reduced apparently. We analyzed the effectiveness of this approach as a function of plasma operating variables including plasma treatment power and treatment time. Hence, plasma‐induced graft polymer modification of membranes can be used to adjust membrane performance by simultaneously controlling the surface hydrophilicity and hemocompatibility. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 78: 979–985, 2000