Protein absorption and fouling on poly(acrylic acid)-graft-polypropylene microfiltration membrane

Abstract

A series of pH-sensitive poly (acrylic acid)-graft-polypropylene hollow fiber microfiltration membranes were prepared by UV-photo-irradiation. Bovine serum albumin (BSA) was chosen as the model protein to investigate its absorption and fouling behaviors on membranes. The results showed that the hydrophilicity of grafted membrane was improved by poly(acrylic acid) chains with parts of membrane pores blocked. The grafted membranes were markedly pH-dependent on the water permeability as pH was altered from 1 to 11. The zeta potential of grafted membranes calculated by streaming potential was negative in most pH range. Electrostatic interaction energy calculated by DLVO theory showed the electric interaction force between grafted membrane and BSA was attractive. With the rise of grafting degree, the electric attractive force between grafted membrane and BSA increased as pH=3 and decreased as pH=8, while it kept basically unchanged as pH=4.7. As a result, most serious fouling was observed as pH=4.7. Grafted membranes had a lower BSA absorption and better antifouling behavior as pH=8, while the opposite result was revealed as pH=3. In conclusion, the absorption and fouling behavior of BSA on membranes was pH-dependent due to the pH-dependence of membrane charge, and the conformation of BSA and grafting chains.