SULFONATED POLYSULFONE MEMBRANES WITH ANTIFOULING ACTIVITY

The protein fouling phenomenon was investigated on modified polysulfon e ultrafiltration membranes. The sulfonation degree was correlated to the extent of deposition of bovine serum albumin. It was shown that me mbranes prepared from modified polysulfone were less fouled than their off-charge analogues. The fouling phenomenon was also investigated fo r membranes prepared from co-cast blends. It was demonstrated that ble nds containing more than 50 wt.-% of sulfonated derivative behaved lik e a membrane from pure sulfonated polysulfone. The effect was attribut ed to surface separation of polymers and formation of surfaces enriche d with sulfonic groups.