Resistance to protein and oil fouling of sulfobetaine-grafted Poly(vinylidene Fluoride) hollow fiber membrane and the electrolyte-responsive behavior in NaCl solution

► Excellent protein-fouling-resistance of the sulfobetaine-grafted PVDF membrane was shown during filtration of BSA solution with NaCl. ► The potential of the modified PVDF membrane to resist the oil fouling was confirmed through filtration of oil-in-water emulsion with NaCl. ► The results extended the application of PVDF hollow fiber membrane in the fields of bio-separation, oil and wastewater treatment.