Abstract
In this study, a stable zwitterionic layer on the surface of a membrane was developed to improve antifouling properties of the membrane, whereby negatively-charged membranes were modified by a positively-charged zwitterionic copolymer via surface adsorption and a cross-linking reaction. Here, 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine and 2-aminoethyl methacrylate hydrochloride copolymer (P(MPC-co-AEMA)) was used as a model zwitterionic copolymer that can be adsorbed onto negatively-charged surfaces, and cross-linked by glutaraldehyde. The surface chemical compositions, morphology, hydrophilicity, charge, and antifouling properties of the membranes were characterized. Furthermore, the stability of the coating layer was evaluated. The results indicated that the surface hydrophilicity and antifouling properties of the membrane were clearly improved after surface modification. In addition, the stability of the coating layer was significantly increased after cross-linking compared to that after only surface adsorption. This is likely due to the cross-linking of the interpenetrating polymer networks inside the porous structure on the surface. Our findings provide a simple and effective method for surface modification via surface adsorption for use in practical applications.
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