Preparation and characterization of pH-sensitive polyethersulfone hollow fiber membranes modified by poly(methyl methylacrylate-co-4-vinyl pyridine) copolymer

In this study, a novel polyethersulfone (PES) hollow fiber membrane with pH-sensitivity was prepared using a copolymer of poly(methyl methylacrylate-co-4-vinyl pyridine) (P(MMA–4VPy)) as an additive. The copolymer was synthesized via free radical solution polymerization, and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). The PES/P(MMA–4VPy) membranes showed excellent pH-sensitivity and pH-reversibility and exhibited good Cu(II) ion adsorption property. Furthermore, the effect of Cu(II) ion adsorption on the membrane pH-sensitivity was investigated.

► The pH-sensitive hollow fiber membrane containing pyridine groups was prepared.
► The modified membranes showed evident pH-sensitivity and Cu(II) ion adsorption.
► The factors which affected the multiples of flux change were studied using PEG.
► The Cu(II) ion adsorption could make the pH-sensitivity of the membranes inert.