Enhancing the performance of PVDF membranes by hydrophilic surface modification via amine treatment

Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) is widely used to fabricate filtration membranes in the form of hollow fibers and flat sheets. However, the potential problems associated with its hydrophobicity (e.g., tube-sheet leak-through and surface fouling) have compromised the performance of PVDF membranes. In this study, we proposed a method for surface hydrophilization of PVDF membranes via amine treatment. The effects of the concentration of the amine solution, treatment temperature and treatment time on the surface hydrophilicity, antifouling performance and permeation properties of the modified membranes were investigated. Energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) and Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy were used to analyze the elements of the membrane surfaces. It was shown that up to 57% of the fluorine on the membrane surface could be eliminated by the amine treatment. As a result, the hydrophilicity and antifouling performance of PVDF membranes could be significantly enhanced.