Antifouling and antibacterial improvement of surface-functionalized poly(vinylidene fluoride) membrane prepared via dihydroxyphenylalanine-initiated atom transfer radical graft polymerizations

► Modification of poly(vinylidene fluoride) membranes via surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization. ► Alkyl halide ATRP initiator is immobilized by hydroxyl groups on polyDOPA-coated PVDF membrane surface and pore surface. ► PHEMA graft chains promote remarkably the surface hydrophilicity and antifouling property of PVDF membranes. ► The quaternized PDMAEMA-grafted membranes exhibit excellent antibacterial properties against S. aureus.