SYNTHESIS OF AMPHIPHILIC COMB-SHAPED COPOLYMERS USED FOR SURFACE MODIFICATION OF PVDF MEMBRANES

Abstract

The synthesis of a novel amphiphilic comb-shaped copolymer consisting of a main chain of styrene-(N-(4-hydroxyphenyl) maleimide) (SHMI) copolymer and poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (PEGMA) side groups was achieved by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The amphiphilic copolymers were characterized by 1H-NMR, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). From thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), the decomposition temperature of SHMI-g-PEGMA is lower than that of SHMI, and the graft ratio of PEGMA in the SHMI is 18.6%. The experimental results of solubilities showed that SHMI, SHMI-Br and SHMI-g-PEGMA had excellent solubility in polar solvents, such as DMF, DMSO and NMP. SHMI-g-PEGMA had higher solubilities in H2O and methanol, while lower solubility in CHCl3 than SHMI and SHMI-Br. PVDF blend membranes were prepared via the standard immersion precipitation phase inversion process, using amphiphilic SHMI-g-PEGMA copolymer as additives. The morphology and hydrophilicity of the blend membrane surfaces were characterized by SEM and water contact angle. It is demonstrated that the blend membranes display enhanced hydrophilicity compared to unmodified PVDF membranes. Finally, the permeation and anti-fouling properties were investigated. The result shows that amphiphilic SHMI-g-PEGMA copolymer increases the permeatability and anti-fouling property of PVDF membranes greatly.