Electron Beam-Based Functionalization of Poly(ethersulfone) Membranes

• Published in: Macromolecular rapid communications. Vol. 31; no. 5; pp. 467 - 472
• Main Authors: Schulze, Agnes, Marquardt, Barbara, Kaczmarek, Sven, Schubert, Rolf, Prager, Andrea, Buchmeiser, Michael R.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Weinheim WILEY-VCH Verlag 02.03.2010; WILEY‐VCH Verlag; Wiley
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Aqueous solutions; Bearing; Catalysis; electron beam irradiation; Exact sciences and technology; Exchange resins and membranes; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; functionalization of polymers; Membranes; modification; Photoinitiators; poly(ethersulfones); Polymer industry, paints, wood; Purification; Solvents; Technology of polymers; Toxicology; Biological properties; Polyfunctional compound; Phosphonic acids; Alcohol polymer; Wettability; Functionalization; electron beam irradiation; functionalization of polymers; Surface properties; Membrane; Polyol; Liquid solid adsorption; Electron beam; Ethersulfone polymer; Experimental study; Functional polymer; modification; Protein; Phosphorus polymer; membranes; Sulfonate polymer; Chemical modification; Amine polymer; Preparation; Radiochemical reaction; poly(ethersulfones); Polyacid
• ISSN: 1022-1336; 1521-3927; 1521-3927
• DOI: 10.1002/marc.200900666

Poly(ethersulfone) membranes were surface modified in a one‐step procedure. For this purpose, the membranes were soaked with aqueous solutions of different low‐molecular weight molecules bearing diverse hydrophilic functionalities and subject to electron beam treatment. No catalysts, photoinitiators, organic solvents or other toxic reagents were used, and no additional synthetic or purification steps were required. A new electron beam‐based approach for the direct hydrophilization of PES membranes in a one‐step procedure is presented. Aqueous solutions of functional molecules were immobilized on the membrane surface by electron beam treatment. The resulting membranes showed significantly increased hydrophilicity accompanied by decreased protein adsorption.