Amphiphilic PPESK-g-PEG graft copolymers for hydrophilic modification of PPESK microporous membranes

Amphiphilic graft copolymers comprising poly(phthalazinone ether sulfone ketone) (PPESK) backbones and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) side chains were synthesized and blended into PPESK casting solutions to prepare hydrophilic and anti-fouling microporous membranes. The graft copolymer was prepared by a modified Williamson etherification method. Sodium alkoxide of methoxyl PEG (PEG-ONa) was used to react with chloromethylated PPESK (CMPPESK). FT-IR spectroscopy, ¹H NMR and solid-state ¹³C CP-MAS NMR analysis confirmed the covalent linking of PEG with PPESK backbones. The incorporation ratio of PEG calculated from ¹H NMR was in agreement with that from TGA tests. The graft products were added into PPESK casting solutions to prepare composite porous membranes using phase inversion method. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and water contact angle examinations indicated that the grafting copolymers were preferentially excluded to the membrane-coagulant interface during membrane forming, contributing the membranes with improved hydrophilicity and surface wettability. Compared with the neat membrane, the blend membranes exhibited a larger surface pore size and less susceptible to protein fouling.