Modification of polysulfone ultrafiltration membranes with UV irradiation and hydrophilicity increasing agents

Hydrophobic polysulfone UF membranes were modified with UV irradiation and hydrophilicity increasing agents. The modifications were tested with 0.5% whey-protein solution and 0.05% lysozyme solution at pH 6 and with 0.05% bovine serum albumin solution at various pH values. UV irradiation increased flux and the hydrophilicity of the membranes. The flux increases obtained varied with pH and modification agents used and could be more than 400% compared to unmodified conditions without any loss in retention. The best retentions were obtained at pH values, where both the protein and the membrane had the same charge, and a strong electrostatic repulsion was obtained. The pores enlarged to fixed sizes, which depended on the sizes of the proteins and the range of double layer forces between proteins and membranes at different states of charge density.