Synthesis of Well-Defined PVDF-Based Amphiphilic Block Copolymer via Iodine Transfer Polymerization for Antifouling Membrane Application

An innovative strategy is devised to obtain poly(vinylidene fluoride) membranes with splendid fouling resistance using amphiphilic block copolymer containing poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) segments as modification agent. The PVDF-based block copolymer with poly[2-(N,N-dimethylamino) ethyl methacrylate] as the hydrophilic segment (PVDF-b-PDMAEMA) was successfully fabricated by iodine transfer polymerization. This strategy not only improved the PVDF membrane structure and hydrophilicity but also assisted in fouling resistance properties as an ultrafiltration membrane. The obtained PVDF/PVDF-b-PDMAEMA blend membrane displayed excellent water flux, which was enhanced 3 fold compared with that of the original membrane. The bovine serum albumin (BSA) rejection ratio (≥90%) was maintained at a reasonable level. Meanwhile, by incorporation of the amphiphilic block copolymer, the PVDF-based modified membrane possessed excellent protein resistance and high flux recovery ability. The blend membranes with high BSA separation efficiency and excellent antifouling properties will find promising applications in the field of separation science specifically in sewage purification.