Preparation and performance of acrylic acid grafted PES ultrafiltration membrane via plasma surface activation

A modified PES ultrafiltration membrane with excellent separation and antifouling properties was obtained after modification by remote Ar–NH3 plasma-induced acrylic acid (AA) grafting. Hydrophilic properties were characterised using water contact angle measurements. The morphology was analysed using SEM and BET measurements. Changes in the surface functional groups were determined using XPS and ATR-FTIR. The separation and antifouling properties were evaluated through a bovine serum albumin (BSA) separation experiment. The results revealed that the surface structure of the modified membrane was not destroyed, that amino groups were introduced on the surface of the PES membrane, and that AA was successfully grafted. The water contact angle decreased from 67° in the original membrane to 5 ± 0.63° in the modified membrane. The water flux increased from 30 to 93.6 L/(m2·h). The rejection rate of BSA increased from 61.5 to 93.8%, and the flux recovery rate increased from 60.0 to 92.3%.

Functionalized Hemodialysis Polysulfone Membranes with Improved Hemocompatibility

The field of membrane materials is one of the most dynamic due to the continuously changing requirements regarding the selectivity and the upgradation of the materials developed with the constantly changing needs. Two membrane processes are essential at present, not for development, but for everyday life-desalination and hemodialysis. Hemodialysis has preserved life and increased life expectancy over the past 60-70 years for tens of millions of people with chronic kidney dysfunction. In addition to the challenges related to the efficiency and separative properties of the membranes, the biggest challenge remained and still remains the assurance of hemocompatibility-not affecting the blood during its recirculation outside the body for 4 h once every two days. This review presents the latest research carried out in the field of functionalization of polysulfone membranes (the most used polymer in the preparation of membranes for hemodialysis) with the purpose of increasing the hemocompatibility and efficiency of the separation process itself with a decreasing impact on the body.