PMWCNT/PVDF ultrafiltration membranes with enhanced antifouling properties intensified by electric field for efficient blood purification

Hybrid ultrafiltration membranes of poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) and poly(ethylene glycol)-multi-walled carbon nanotubes (PMWCNTs) have been prepared via phase inversion method. Compared with pristine PVDF membranes, PMWCNT/PVDF hybrid membranes showed a significant higher water flux (384 L m −2 h −1 ), more stable rejection rate of bovine serum albumin (BSA) and better antifouling properties because of better hydrophilicity. Besides, the antifouling properties of PMWCNT/PVDF hybrid membranes can be further reduced applying a weak electric field (direct current, about 2 V cm −1 ). More important, PMWCNTs/PVDF membrane exhibited the lowest hemolysis ratio of 0.4% ever reported, which has improved the hemocompatibility and safety of blood. Moreover, after the introduction of weak electric field, the adhesion of red blood cells is minimized. This study shows that the novel PMWCNT/PVDF hybrid membranes have excellent antifouling ability and hemocompatibility which opens up a new field for the application of PVDF membranes.