Synthesis and characterization of poly(arylene ether ketone) copolymers with pendant carboxylic acid groups for antifouling ultrafiltration membrane

Abstract

This work focused on the synthesis of a series of poly(arylene ether ketone) random copolymers with various controlled pendant carboxylic acid groups (PEAK-COOH) by direct copolymerization method and the preparation of antifouling ultrafiltration membranes via the conventional immersion precipitation phase inversion method. The morphologies of the PEAK-COOH membranes were investigated by scanning electron microscopy. In addition, the surface hydrophilicity and charged property of the PEAK-COOH membranes were studied by water contact angle and membrane potential measurements, and the results indicated that the introduction of COOH on the polymer chains of membrane materials was really an effective way to negatively charge the membrane and enhance the hydrophilicity. The pure water flux and protein solution permeation through the prepared membranes were increased with the increase in the content of carboxylic acid groups. The cycle ultrafiltration experiments for protein solution revealed that nonspecific protein adsorption, especially irreversible protein adsorption, for the PEAK-COOH membranes, was significantly reduced, suggesting superior antifouling performance.