Assessing the effect of surface modification of polyamide RO membrane by l-DOPA on the short range physiochemical interactions with biopolymer fouling on the membrane

- Effect of l-DOPA coating on RO membrane fouling was evaluated using XDLVO theory.
- Components of free energy of adhesion between membrane and foulants were calculated.
- Acid-base component had the strongest impact on the adhesion of foulants studied.
- Modified membrane had lower adhesion affinity toward both foulants studied.
- The calculated results were confirmed by lower fouling rate of modified membrane.