Role of wettability in interfacial polymerization based on PVDF electrospun nanofibrous scaffolds

• Composite ultrafiltration membrane based on nanofibrous scaffold was fabricated.
• Wettability played an important role in the interfacial polymerization process.
• Polymerization parameters were optimized.
• The water flux rate and the BSA rejection efficiency were excellent.

High flux composite filtration membrane based on electrospun poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) nanofibrous scaffold has been produced by interfacial polymerization. The liquid contact angles of the solvents used in the aqueous phase and the organic phase on the surface of PVDF nanofibrous scaffolds have been tested before interfacial polymerization. Three polymerization routes have been carried out and the wettability of the support layer in reactive phases has been proven to play an important role in the fabrication of a flawless thin barrier layer. Various parameters in interfacial polymerization were discussed and optimized to form a high performance composite ultrafiltration membrane. When the monomer concentration in the aqueous phase was 0.1%, and the monomer concentration in the organic phase was 0.2%, interfacial reaction time was 1 min, the performance of the composite membrane was optimized. The pure water flux of the filtration membrane was 67 L/m2 h, and the BSA rejection was 98% under the pressure of 0.3 MPa.

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