Surface Modification of the Polyethersulfone Membrane by Low Pressure Argon Plasma Treatment

Abstract

In this study, low pressure Ar plasma is used to improve the surface hydrophilicity of the polyethersulfone (PES) membrane. The low pressure Ar plasma generated by radio frequency (RF) glow discharge was acted on the PES membrane surface to observe the change of the hydrophilic nature. This paper discusses the different plasma power, treatment time and plasma fluxes conditions on PES membrane modified influence. Experimental results show that with the plasma power and plasma fluxes increase and treatment time prolonged, the surface hydrophilicity of the PES membrane continues to increase and no more changes were observed when it reached to a certain value. The best condition was carried out at 60W, 120s, 20sccm, in this condition, the hydrophilic nature of the PES membrane is remarkably improved.