SURFACE MODIFICATION OF POLYETHERSULFONE HOLLOW-FIBER MEMBRANES BY GAMMA-RAY IRRADIATION

The fouling of ultrafiltration membrane is often caused by gel formati on on the membrane surface. This gel layer arises due to concentration polarization or macromolecular adsorption on the membrane surface. Th e gel layer affects both the hydraulic permeability and the rejection properties of the membrane. In this report, the adsorption of porcine albumin and the concentration polarization effect on modified and unmo dified polyethersulfone (PES) hollow-fiber membrane is studied. PES ul trafiltration hollow-fiber membranes were modified by the grafting of polyethylene glycol (PEG) polymer on the internal surface using gamma- ray irradiation method. The modified hollow fibers were less susceptib le to fouling than were the unmodified fiber. The performance of both modified and unmodified hollow fibers was tested as a function of feed flow rates and protein concentrations. (C) 1994 John Wiley & Sons, In c.