Three well-defined diblock copolymers ofpoly(methyl methacrylate-b-methacrylic acid) (P(MMA-b-MAA)) were synthesized using atom transfer radical polymerization method and varying poly(methacrylic acid) (PMAA) chain lengths. These copolymers were blended with PVC to fabricate porous membranes via phase inversion process. Membrane morphologies were observed by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and chemical composition changes of the membrane surfaces were measured by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Static and dynamic protein adsorption experiments were used to evaluate antifouling properties of the blend membranes. It was found that, the blend membranes containing longer PMAA arm length showed lower static protein adsorption, higher water permeation flux and better protein solution flux recovery.
Porous PVDF blend membranes with good hydrophilicity and a symmetric structure were prepared by the phase inversion method using amphiphilic brush-like copolymers, P(MMA-r-PEGMA), as hydrophilic additive and triethylphosphate (TEP) as solvent. P(MMA-r-PEGMA) was synthesized by radical polymerization in TEP. Then the obtained amphiphilic copolymer solution was mixed with PVDF and TEP to prepare the dope solution. The effects of P(MMA-r-PEGMA) content and coagulation composition on membrane morphologies were investigated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results demonstrated that, even blended with amphiphilic copolymers, a symmetric structure can be formed. Hollow fiber membranes with a mainly symmetric structure were also fabricated. The dry hollow fiber membranes showed good hydrophilicity, high flux and good rejection performance because of their hydrophilic surface and pores wall.