SURFACE MODIFICATION OF ACRYLONITRILE COPOLYMER MEMBRANES BY GRAFTINGACRYLAMIDE - II - INITIATION BY FE2+ H2O2/

Surface modification of membranes of an acrylonitrile copolymer (PAN) containing 5.5% methyl methacrylate and 4.0% sodium methylpropylenesul fonate by grafting acrylamide (AAm) with ferrous ammonium sulfate/H2O2 as an initiator in aqueous medium was studied. The grafted copolymer was verified by infrared spectra, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, an d a scanning electron microscope (SEM). From the SEM photos, we know t hat the AAm homopolymer branches were grafted onto the surface of the membrane and the morphology of the PAN membrane did not change. The re sults showed that the extent of grafting was varied with some paramete rs, such as the pH value of the medium, reaction time and temperature, and concentration of AAm and H2O2 The results of the water-absorption percent of the membrane showed that the wettability of the modified P AN membrane was improved. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.