Biofouling-resistance expanded poly(tetrafluoroethylene) membrane with a hydrogel-like layer of surface-immobilized poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate for human plasma protein repulsions

In general, it is a challenge to control the highly polar material grafting from the chemically inert Teflon-based membrane surface. This work describes the surface modification and characterization of expanded poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (ePTFE) membranes grafted with poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate (PEGMA) macromonomer via surface-activated plasma treatment and thermally induced graft copolymerization. The chemical composition and microstructure of the surface-modified ePTFE membranes were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), contact angle, and bio-atomic force microscopy (bio-AFM) measurements. Biofouling property of the modified membranes was evaluated by the measurements of the plasma protein (γ-globulin, fibrinogen, or albumin) adsorption determined using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). In general, the hydrophilicity of the surface of ePTFE membranes increases with increasing the grafting degree of the copolymerized PEGMA. The highly hydrated PEGMA chain on the resulting ePTFE membranes was found to form a surface hydrogel-like layer with regulated coverage in aqueous state, which can be controlled by the content of PEGMA macromonomer in the reaction solution. The relative protein adsorption was effectively reduced with increasing capacity of the hydration for the PEGMA chain grafted on the ePTFE membrane surface. From both results of protein adsorption and platelet adhesion test in vitro, it is concluded that the PEGMA-grafted hydrophilic ePTFE membranes could provide good biofouling resistance to substantially reduce plasma protein and blood platelet fouling on the membrane surface in human body temperature.     

Surface modification of PVDF porous membranes

A novel method for the surface modification of PVDF porous membranes was introduced. Styrene-(N-(4-hydroxyphenyl) maleimide) alternating copolymer SHMI-Br was blended with PVDF to fabricate SHMI-Br/PVDF membranes. The C-Br bond on the SHMI-Br/PVDF membrane was served as initial site of ATRP, and P(PEGMA) brush was grafted on the PVDF membrane. Attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR/FTIR) was used to prove the P(PEGMA) brushes were successfully grafted onto the SHMI-Br/PVDF membrane surface. Introduction of P(PEGMA) brushes on the PVDF membrane surface enhanced the hydrophilicity effectively. When the PEGMA degree of grafting was 16.7 wt%, the initial contact angle of PVDF membrane decreased from 98° to 42°. The anti-fouling ability of PVDF membrane was improved significantly after P(PEGMA) brush was grafted. Taking the PEGMA degree of grafting 16.7 wt% as an example, the flux of protein solution was about 151.21 L/(m² h) when the pH value of the BSA solution was 4.9. As the pH value was increased to 7.4, the flux was changed to 180.06 L/(m² h). However, the protein solution flux of membrane M3 (PEGMA: 0 wt%) was only 73.84 L/(m² h) and 113.52 L/(m² h) at pH 4.9 and 7.4, respectively.     

Surface modification of polypropylene membranes by γ-ray induced graft copolymerization and their solute permeation characteristics

Porous hydrophobic polypropylene (PP) membranes were subjected to the surface modification by the γ-ray induced graft copolymerization with hydrophilic 2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA). The structural changes and surface morphologies of the modified PP membranes were characterized by a Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), elemental analysis (EA) and field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). Peroxides produced from γ-ray irradiation were determined by a 1,1-diphenyl-2-picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) method and the surface hydrophilicities of membranes were measured by a static contact angle measurement. The contact angle of the modified membranes reduced with the degree of grafting (DG) of HEMA onto the membrane surface, and it decreased up to about half of that before modification. The permeation behaviors of all membranes were investigated by a bovine serum albumin (BSA) filtration experiment. As a result, the DG of the modified membrane increased with the reaction time. However, in the case of irradiation dosage it showed the maximum value at 20 kGy. Also, the modified membrane showed a higher solution flux, lower BSA adsorption, and the better flux recovery after cleaning than that of the unmodified membrane. Particularly, 40.6% grafted membrane showed a two-fold increase in a BSA solution flux, 62% reduction in total fouling and three-fold increase in flux recovery after chemical cleaning.     

Chain-length dependence of the antifouling characteristics of the glycopolymer-modified polypropylene membrane in an SMBR

Membrane-bioreactor processes have increased considerably in recent years. However, the natural disadvantages of common membrane materials, such as hydrophobic surface, cause membrane fouling and cumber further extensive applications. In this work, hydrophilic surface modification of polypropylene microporous membranes was carried out by the sequential photoinduced graft polymerization of d-gluconamidoethyl methacrylate (GAMA) to meet the requirements of wastewater treatment and water reclamation applications. The grafting density and grafting chain length were controlled independently in the first and second step, respectively. Attenuated total reflection–Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR/ATR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were employed to confirm the surface modification on the membranes. Water contact angle was measured by the sessile drop method. Results of FT-IR/ATR and XPS clearly indicated that GAMA was grafted on the membrane surface. It was found that the grafting chain length increased reasonably with the increase of the UV irradiation time. Water contact angle on the modified membrane decreased with the increase of the grafting chain length, and showed a minimum value of 43.2°, approximately 51.8° lower than that of the unmodified membrane. The pure water fluxes for the modified membranes increased systematically with the increase of the grafting chain length. The effect of the grafting chain length on the antifouling characteristics in a submerged membrane-bioreactor for synthetic wastewater treatment was investigated. After continuous operation in the submerged membrane-bioreactor for about 70 h, reduction from pure water flux was 90.7% for the virgin PPHFMM, and ranged from 80.8 to 87.2% for the modified membranes, increasing with increasing chain length. The flux of the virgin PPHFMM membrane after fouling and subsequent washing was 31.5% of the pure water flux through the unfouled membrane; for the modified membranes this ranged from 27.8 to 16.3%, decreasing with increasing chain length. These results demonstrated that the antifouling characteristics for the glucopolymer-modified membranes were improved with an increase in GAMA chain length.     

Tethering hydrophilic polymer brushes onto PPESK membranes via surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization

Surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) was used to graft hydrophilic comb-like poly((poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate), or P(PEGMA), brushes from chloromethylated poly(phthalazinone ether sulfone ketone) (CMPPESK) membrane surfaces. Prior to ATRP, chloromethylation of PPESK was beforehand performed and the obtained CMPPESK was prepared into porous membranes by phase inversion process. It was demonstrated that the benzyl chloride groups on the CMPPESK membrane surface afforded effective macroinitiators to graft the well-defined polymer brushes. Attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirmed the grafting of P(PEGMA) chains. Water contact angle measurements indicated that the introduction of P(PEGMA) graft chains promoted remarkably the surface hydrophilicity of PPESK membranes. The effects of P(PEGMA) immobilization on membrane morphology, permeability and fouling resistance were investigated. It was found that the comb-like P(PEGMA) grafts brought smaller pore diameters and higher solute rejections to PPESK membranes. The results of dynamic anti-fouling experiments showed the anti-fouling ability of the membranes was significantly improved after the grafting of P(PEGMA) brushes.     

Photografted thin polymer hydrogel layers on PES ultrafiltration membranes: characterization, stability, and influence on separation performance

Highly fouling-resistant ultrafiltration (UF) membranes were synthesized by heterogeneous photograft copolymerization of two water-soluble monomers, poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate (PEGMA) and N,N-dimethyl-N-(2-methacryloyloxyethyl-N-(3-sulfopropyl)ammonium betaine (SPE), with and without cross-linker monomer N,N'-methylene bisacrylamide (MBAA), onto a polyethersulfone (PES) UF membrane. The characteristics, the stability, and the UF separation performance of the resulting composite membranes were evaluated in detail. The membranes were characterized with respect to membrane chemistry (by ATR-IR spectroscopy and elemental analysis), surface wettability (by contact angle), surface charge (by zeta potential), surface morphology (by scanning electron microscopy), and pure water permeability and rejection of macromolecular test substances (including the "cutoff" value). The surface chemistry and wettability of the composite membranes did not change after incubating in sodium hypochlorite solution (typically used for cleaning UF membranes) for a period of 8 days. Changes in water permeability after static contact with solutions of a model protein (myoglobin) were used as a measure of fouling resistance, and the results suggest that PEGMA- and SPE-based composite membranes at a sufficient degree of graft modification showed much higher adsorptive fouling resistance than unmodified PES membranes of similar or larger nominal cutoff. This was confirmed in UF experiments with myoglobin solutions. Similar results, namely, a very much improved fouling resistance due to the grafted thin polymer hydrogel layer, were also obtained in the UF evaluation using humic acid as another strong foulant. In some cases, the addition of the cross-linker during modification could improve both permeate flux and solute rejection during UF. Overall, composite membranes prepared with an "old generation" nonfouling material, PEGMA, showed better performance than composite membranes prepared with a "new generation" one, the zwitterionic SPE.     

紫外接枝聚合聚乙二醇甲基丙烯酸甲酯制备抗污染聚砜超滤膜

以二苯甲酮(BP)为紫外引发剂,将聚乙二醇甲基丙烯酸甲酯(PEGMA)接枝在聚砜超滤膜表面以提高膜的抗污染性能.在二苯甲酮存在的条件下,波长较长(λ300nm)的紫外光(UV)辐射下发生提氢反应,可以有效防止聚砜分子主链的剪切,保持改性膜的分离性能.考察了PEGMA浓度、UV辐射时间和BP浓度对改性超滤膜接枝度、亲水性和抗污染性能的影响.用表面全反射红外光谱(ATR/FTIR)表征改性前后膜表面化学组成的变化.表面改性膜的纯水通量略有降低而牛血清白蛋白(BSA)截留率有所提高.随着接枝度的提高,PEGMA接枝改性膜的抗污染性能增加.     

Enhancing hydrophilicity and protein resistance of silicone hydrogels by plasma induced grafting with hydrophilic polymers

<正>The hydrophilicity of silicone hydrogels used as soft corneal contact lens plays an important role in wearing comfort.In order to enhance hydrophilicity and protein resistance,silicone hydrogel membranes were modified by atmospheric pressure glow discharge plasma(APGDP) induced surface graft polymerization of N-vinyl pyrrolidone(NVP) and poly(oligoethylene glycol methyl ether methacrylate)(PEGMA) in this paper.XPS analysis demonstrated the success of graft polymerization of NVP and PEGMA onto the surface of silicone hydrogel membranes.The hydrophilicity of silicone hydrogels was characterized by the measurement of water contact angle(WCA).The result showed that NVP grafted silicone hydrogel has the WCA of about 68°and PEGMA grafted silicone hydrogel has the lowest WCA of about 62°,while the pristine silicone hydrogel is hydrophobic with the WCA of about 103°.Protein resistance of silicone hydrogels was investigated by the method of bicinchoninic acid assay using bovine serum albumin(BSA) as a model.It's found that the grafted silicone hydrogel has a significant improvement of protein resistance,and PEGMA grafting is more efficient for the reduction of protein adsorption than NVP grafting.The silicone hydrogel membranes grafted with NVP and PEGMA are good candidates of soft corneal contact lenses.     

Plasma-induced graft copolymerization of poly(methacrylic acid) on electrospun poly(vinylidene fluoride) nanofiber membrane

Electrospun nanofibrous membranes (ENM) which have a porous structure have a huge potential for various liquid filtration applications. In this paper, we explore the viability of using plasma-induced graft copolymerization to reduce the pore sizes of ENMs. Poly(vinylidene) fluoride (PVDF) was electrospun to produce a nonwoven membrane, comprised of nanofibers with diameters in the range of 200-600 nm. The surface of the ENM was exposed to argon plasma and subsequently graft-copolymerized with methacrylic acid. The effect of plasma exposure time on grafting was studied for both the ENM and a commercial hydrophobic PVDF (HVHP) membrane. The grafting density was quantitatively measured with toluidine blue-O. The degree of grafting increased steeply with an increase in plasma exposure time for the ENM, attaining a maximum of 180 nmol/mg after 120 s of plasma treatment. However, the increase in the grafting density on the surface of the HVHP membrane was not as drastic, reaching a plateau of 65 nmol/mg after 60 s. The liquid entry permeation of water dropped extensively for both membranes, indicating a change in surface properties. Field emission scanning electron microscopy micrographs revealed an alteration in the surface pore structure for both membranes after grafting. Bubble point measurements of the ENM reduced from 3.6 to 0.9 um after grafting. The pore-size distribution obtained using the capillary flow porometer for the grafted ENM revealed that it had a similar profile to that of a commercial hydrophilic commercial PVDF (HVLP) membrane. More significantly, water filtration studies revealed that the grafted ENM had a better flux throughput than the HVLP membrane. This suggests that ENMs can be successfully engineered through surface modification to achieve smaller pores while retaining their high flux performance.     

SURFACE MODIFICATION OF MICROPOROUS POLYPROPYLENE MEMBRANES BY GRAFT POLYMERIZATION OF N,N-DIMETHYLAMINOETHYL METHACRYLATE

Surface modification of microporous polypropylene hollow fiber membranes was performed by radical-induced graft polymerization of N,N-dimethylaminoethyl methacrylate (DMAEMA). The influences of temperature, monomer concentration and pre-adsorbed amount of benzoyl peroxide on grafting degree were studied respectively. It was found that the appropriate graft temperature was 75℃, at which the grafting degree was the highest and the hydrolytic decomposition of DMAEMA the lowest. Scanning electron photomicrography and the average pore diameters of the modified membranes demonstrated that part of the micropores on the membrane surface was plugged by the grafted polyDMAEMA chains, especially at high grafting degree. Contact angle and water swelling experiments showed that a moderate grafting degree could improve the hydrophilicity of the membranes. In the range of I 1.3%o-12.0% grafting degree, the water swelling percentage reached its maximum (51.1%) and the contact angle reached its minimum (74 degrees). The bovine serum albumin (BSA) adsorption experiment indicated that the grafted polyDMAEMA had a dual effect on protein adsorption. At the first stage, the BSA adsorption decreased with increasing of DMAEMA grafting degree. As the interaction between BSA and polyDMAEMA on membrane surface increased, the BSA adsorption increased with increasing of DMAEMA grafting degree.     

Preparation and properties of plasma-initiated graft copolymerized membranes for blood plasma separation

A hydrophilic composite membrane for blood plasma separation has been prepared by surface graft copolymerization initiated by low-temperature plasma (LTP). After short LTP pre-irradiation onto a microporous polypropylene (PP) membrane, N-N-dimethylacrylamide (DMAA) vapor was introduced for grafting. The PP membrane had a 0.45 μm effective pore size and a 130 μm thickness. The rate of DMAA grafting onto PP was very high, even in vapor-solid phase reaction under reduced pressure; DMAA 1 mm Hg (133Pa). The percentage of grafted poly-DMAA (PDMAA) reached 15% within 5 min post graft polymerization, and the membrane surface, including the interior surface of pores, became completely hydrophilic. There was no apparent change observed in the membrane morphology in the dry state after the PDMAA-grafted layer was formed. However, water flux significantly decreased, probably due to swelling of the PDMAA-grafted layer. With a grafting yield below 17%, the PDMAA-grafted PP (PP-g-PDMAA) membrane showed a good separation capability of plasma from whole blood. The PP-g-PDMAA membrane exhibited low complement activating potential, high sieving coefficient for plasma proteins and high blood compatibility. Decreases in adsorption of blood cells, plasma proteins, and other biomolecules may be the reason for the membrane performance.     

Antibacterial poly(D,L-lactide) (PDLLA) fibrous membranes modified with quaternary ammonium moieties

<正>Antibacterial poly(D,L-lactide)(PDLLA) fibrous membranes were developed via electrospinning,followed by surface modification which involved plasma pretreatment,UV-induced graft copolymerization of 4-vinylpyridine(4VP) and quaternization of the grafted pyridine groups with hexylbromide.The success of modification with quatemized pyridinium groups on the PDLLA fibrous membranes was ascertained by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy(XPS).The antibacterial activities of these membranes were assessed against Gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus(S.aureus) and Gram-negative Escherichia coli(E.coli).The PDLLA fibrous membranes modified with quaternized pyridinium groups showed antibacterial efficiency against both bacteria as high as 99.999%.The results demonstrated that the antibacterial activity was based on the interaction of the positive charge of pyridinium group and negatively charged cell membrane of bacteria, resulting in loss of membrane permeability and cell leakage.     

Hydrophilic Modification of Microporous Polysulfone Membrane via Surface‐Initiated Atom Transfer Radical Polymerization and Hydrolysis of Poly(glycidylmethacrylate)

Poly(glycidylmethacrylate) (PGMA) brushes were grafted from chloromethylated polysulfone (CMPSF) membrane surface by surface‐initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI‐ATRP), and the grafting was followed by hydrolysis of epoxy groups in the grafting chains to improve the membrane's hydrophilic property. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT‐IR) and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurements confirmed the successful grafting and hydrolysis of PGMA. The grafting degree of the monomer, measured by periodic acid titration and gravimetric analysis, increased linearly with the polymerization time, while the static water contact angle of the membrane grafted with PGMA or hydrolyzed PGMA linearly decreased. In comparison with the PGMA‐grafted membranes, the hydrolyzed PGMA‐grafted membranes possess stronger hydrophilicity as indicated by their contact angle and hydration capacity, and as a result they have an improved antifouling property. Therefore, the control of the hydrophilicity of PSF membrane could be realized through adjusting the polymerization time and transforming the functional groups in the grafting chain.     

Hydrophilic modification of polyethersulfone membranes by low temperature plasma-induced graft polymerization

A complete and permanent hydrophilic modification of polyethersulfone (PES) membranes is achieved by argon plasma treatment followed by polyacrylic acid (PAA) grafting in vapor phase. Both Ar plasma treatment alone and post-PAA grafting rendered a complete hydrophilicity to the PES membranes. The hydrophilicity of the membranes treated with only the Ar plasmas is not, however, permanent. In contrast, the PES membranes treated with Ar plasma and subsequent acrylic acid (AA) grafting are permanently hydrophilic. High energy resolution X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) confirmed the grafting of PAA to all surfaces of the membrane. Furthermore, water bubble point measurements remain unaffected. The pore sizes of the grafted membranes at higher grafting yield are slightly decreased. The modified membranes are less susceptible to protein fouling than the unmodified membranes and the pure water flux for the modified membranes was tremendously increased by plasma treatment. Furthermore, the modified membranes are easier to clean and required little caustic to recover permeation flux.     

超亲水聚偏氟乙烯中空纤维膜的制备及性能

采用超声辅助接枝聚合技术,将甲基丙烯酸缩水甘油酯(GMA)接枝到聚偏氟乙烯(PVDF)膜表面,制备PVDF-g-GMA膜;再利用氨基诱导环氧基团发生开环反应,将苏氨酸(Thr)接枝到PVDF-g-GMA膜表面,制备了具有两性离子结构表面的PVDF-g-GMA-Thr膜。通过衰减全反射傅里叶变换红外光谱(ATR-FTIR)、X射线光电子能谱(XPS)、接触角测试仪、场发射扫描电子显微镜(FESEM)和牛血清白蛋白(BSA)过滤实验等系统研究了改性前后PVDF膜表面的化学组成、润湿性能、表面形貌和抗污染性能。研究结果表明,随着PVDF-g-GMA接枝Thr反应时间的增加,PVDF-g-GMA-Thr膜的亲水性能明显提高,接触角从90°降为0°,呈现出超亲水性能。同时PVDF-g-GMA-Thr膜的水通量明显提高,当Thr诱导开环反应时间为12 h时,PVDF-gGMA-Thr膜的水通量高达686 L/(m²·h),与PVDF原膜相比,水通量提高了204. 5%。在BSA的过滤测试中,与PVDF膜相比,PVDF-g-GMA-Thr膜呈现出良好的截留性能和抗污染性能,BS...     

Surface modification of SPEU films by ozone induced graft copolymerization to improve hemocompatibility

Surface modification of segmented poly(ether urethane) (SPEU) by graft copolymerization with N,N′-dimethyl-N-methacryloyloxyethyl-N-(3-sulfopropyl) ammonium (DMMSA), a zwitterionic sulfobetaine structure, was conducted. A simple two-step procedure for grafting of DMMSA onto the surface of SPEU film was used. The surface was first treated with ozone to introduce active hydroperoxide groups. The active surface was then exposed to the DMMSA solution in the sealed tube. Grafted SPEU film was characterized by ATR–FTIR, XPS and contact angle measurement. ATR–FTIR and XPS investigations confirmed the graft copolymerization. The monomer concentration, copolymerization temperature and time were varied to maximize the efficiency of DMMSA grafting. The equilibrium water content (EWC) and contact angle measurements showed that the hydrophilicity of the film had been greatly improved. The blood compatibility of the grafted films was evaluated by platelet adhesion in platelet rich plasma (PRP), deposits in blood control and protein adsorption in bovine fibrinogen using SPEU film as the control. No platelet adhesion and no thrombus were observed for the grafted films incubated in PRP for 300 min and in blood for 120 min, respectively. The protein adsorption was reduced on the grafted films after incubation in bovine fibrinogen for 120 min. These results proved that improved blood compatibility was obtained by grafting this new zwitterionic sulfobetaine structure monomer onto SPEU film.     

Surface‐initiated atom transfer radical polymerization from porous poly(tetrafluoroethylene) membranes using the C?F groups as initiators

This work reports the surface‐initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) from hydrogen plasma‐treated porous poly(tetrafluoroethylene) (PTFE) membranes using the C? F groups as initiators. Hydrogen plasma treatment on PTFE membrane surfaces changes their chemical environment through defluorination and hydrogenation reactions. With the hydrogen plasma treatment, the C? F groups of the modified PTFE membrane surface become effective initiators of ATRP. Surface‐initiated ATRP of poly(ethylene glycol) methacrylate (PEGMA) is carried out to graft PPEGMA chains to PTFE membrane surfaces. The chain lengths of poly(PEGMA) (PPEGMA) grafted on PTFE surfaces increase with increasing the reaction time of ATRP. Furthermore, the chain ends of PPEGMA grown on PTFE membrane surfaces then serve as macroinitiators for the ATRP of N‐isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) to build up the PPEGMA‐b‐PNIPAAm block copolymer chains on the PTFE membrane surfaces. The chemical structures of the modified PTFE membranes are characterized using X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The modification increases the surface hydrophilicity of the PTFE membranes with reductions in their water‐contact angles from 120° to 60°. The modified PTFE membranes also show temperature‐responsive properties and protein repulsion features owing to the presence of PNIPAAM and PPEGMA chains. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 48: 2076–2083, 2010     

SEM研究PET核孔膜的光接枝聚合

以PET核孔膜为基材 ,二苯甲酮为引发剂 ,采用光接枝方法实现了丙烯酸和丙烯酰胺在核孔膜上的接枝 ,用扫描电镜 (SEM)直接观察了接枝前后膜的表面形貌 ,考察了不同因素对于接枝位置和接枝效果的影响 .发现膜材料本身特性和接枝反应条件对接枝位置和接枝效果有较大影响 .通过光接枝能够实现膜孔的封盖、缩小、填堵等不同的效果 .采用正侧涂布法反应 ,标准直孔 ,特别是小孔径膜 (0 4 μm) ,不利于孔内的接枝 ,接枝主要在膜的表面 ,从而产生孔封盖效应 .双锥形的非标准直孔 ,由于孔壁的受光性好 ,容易发生孔壁上的接枝从而被填充 .大孔径的膜 (5 μm) ,需要加入交联剂才能在孔壁上形成厚的接枝层 .提出了一种新的反应方法 背侧吸附法 ,反应液依靠毛细作用由膜的底部吸入膜孔 ,膜的向光侧表面不存在反应液 ,接枝只发生在膜孔内 ,从而得到很好的填孔效果 .     

Characterization of N-isopropyl acrylamide/acrylic acid grafted polypropylene nonwoven fabric developed by radiation-induced graft polymerization

Radiation-induced graft copolymerization of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) and acrylic acid (AA) mixture was carried out on polypropylene nonwoven fabric to develop a thermosensitive material and has been found to affect the thermal and physical characteristics of fabric. The grafted fabrics with different monomer ratios were characterized by thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD), contact angle and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Results of FTIR clearly indicated that poly(acrylic acid) and poly(N-isopropyl acrylamide) were successfully grafted onto the membrane surface. TGA results showed that the thermal stability of PP fabric increased after grafting of NIPAAm/AA. The crystallinity values from DSC and XRD were found to decrease with increase in degree of grafting because of the addition of grafted chains within the noncrystalline region. The decrease in contact angles of the grafted fabric with an increase of the degree of grafting shows that PNIPAAm/PAA exists as the hydrophilic component. The increase in surface roughness after grafting was observed by AFM.     

Electron-beam graft-modified membranes with externally controlled flux

Pre-irradiation grafting as a means to modify commerical poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) membranes has been studied. The membranes prepared were weak cation-exchange membranes (acrylic acid functionality), anion-exchange membranes (trimethyl ammonium functionality) and temperature-sensitive membranes (N-isopropyl amide functionality). Different graft loads were obtained by varying reaction time, radiation dose and in the case of acrylic acid the graft solution composition. The trimethyl ammonium chloride functionality was obtained by grafting vinyl benzyl chloride onto a PVDF membrane and aminating the benzyl chloride groups in a 45% trimethyl amine–water solution. For a membrane grafted with 9 wt% acrylic acid the flux increased approximately 70 times when the pH was decreased from 6 to 2. For a membrane with 5 wt% trimethyl ammonium functionality the flux increased both when pH was decreased below 3 and increased above 11. For a membrane grafted with 18 wt% N-isopropyl acrylamide a sharp increase of flux was observed when the temperature was raised above 32°C.