Novel modified PVDF ultrafiltration flat-sheet membranes

Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) ultrafiltration membranes were modified using a new type of hydrophilic polyurethane additive, called L2MM. During phase inversion L2MM migrates to the membrane surface and functions as both a pore former and surface modifier. L2MM improved the surface hydrophilicity and significantly increased the PVDF membrane's pure water permeation (PWP) rate. PVDF membranes were modified with two L2MMs: L2MM(PEG-600) and L2MM(PEG-200). PWP tests, contact angle measurements, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) were used to assess the impact of L2MM type, L2MM concentration and PVDF concentration on the performance and characteristics of modified PVDF membranes. XPS analysis and contact angle measurements indicated that the L2MM migrated to the membrane surface and the contact angle decreased by up to 19%. SEM and AFM images were used to investigate the relation between surface morphology and ultimate performance. The L2MMs had a significant effect on flux; increasing the L2MM concentration improved membrane PWP fluxes up to a maximum with further increases resulting in flux decreases. Both L2MM(PEG-200) and L2MM(PEG-600) increased the final PWP flux of modified PVDF membranes up to 6.5 times that of the control membranes. Furthermore, L2MM(PEG-200) increased the 100 kDa polyethylene oxide (PEO) separation from 88 to 96% compared to the control membrane.

► A new hydrophilic additive (L2MM) successfully modified PVDF UF membranes.
► The new membranes fluxes up to 5.5 times higher than the PVDF membranes.
► The new membranes were more hydrophilic and higher separations.