Modification and Evaluation of PAN and PP Membranes with Polymer Brushes via UV-induced Graft Polymerization

Abstract

Biofouling is a major problem for membrane filtration because it blocks the pores of the membrane and significantly decreases flux. This work developed a mild and modular method to functionalize the surfaces of polyacrylonitrile (PAN) ultrafiltration membranes for water purification and polypropylene (PP) nonwoven membranes for air filtration. The goal was to reduce biofouling by introducing zwitterions and quaternary ammonium compounds (QACs).