Surface Characterization by X–Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy of Polyethersulfone Hollow Fiber Membranes Modified with Surface Modifying Macromolecules

Abstract

Novel charged–surface modifying macromolecules (cSMMs) were synthesized and incorporated into polyethersulfone(PES) hollow fiber membranes for water separation application. The macromolecules were synthesized with diisocynate, polypropylene oxide and poly(ethylene glycol)–hydroxybenzene sulfonate (PEG–HBS). In this study, the surface of polyethersulfone hollow fiber membranes prepared by the phase inversion method was modified using 1 wt.% of SMM and 22 wt.% PES concentration in the polymer casting solution. The effect of cSMM on PES hollow fiber membrane modification was investigated. Elemental analysis shows enrichment of oxygen and sulfone on the modified PES membrane bulk properties. In addition, the glass transition temperature confirms the miscibility of the cSMM in PES. Important relations between surface characteristics due to SMM modification with the PES membrane for water separation performance with respect to XPS characterization also highlighted.