Enhanced permeation and antifouling performance of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) blend Pluronic F127 ultrafiltration membrane by using salt coagulation bath (SCB)

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) has drawn much attention as an ultrafiltration (UF) membrane material. However, conventional PVC UF membranes suffer from low flux and serious fouling when applied to water treatment. In the present study, a salt coagulation bath (SCB) has been successfully employed to enhance the morphological structures and properties of PVC/Pluronic F127 (F127) UF membranes. The resultant membrane without macrovoids exhibits a high surface porosity (7.2%) and surface hydrophilicity (water contact angle of around 40 degrees), which endows the membrane with a remarkable flux (1405 L/m(2) h/bar) and antifouling performance. Also, the surface characterization is due to an improved surface hydrophilicity that can be attributed to an increased surface oxygen composition as well as to a slightly roughened microstructure. To understand the unique structure and performance of the PVC/F127 UF membranes, hydrophilic polyethylene glycol (PEG) has also been studied under the same conditions as a comparative copolymer, where the trade-off attributes standout compared to the F127 UF membranes. This phenomenon demonstrates the unique impact of SCB on the amphipathic F127, which can be ascribed to the intensified hydrophobic-hydrophobic interaction between F127 and polymer chains. Moreover, the outstanding performance as well as simple and cost-effective preparation process indicates that SCB can be a potential technology for industrial applications.