PVDF Hollow fiber Membrane with High Flux and High Rejection Ratio Prepared by Irradiation Induced Grafting of PAA

AbstractSummary: A modified poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) hollow fiber membrane with higher flux and flux recovery rate was prepared by γ‐radiation induced grafting of acrylic acid (AA). The influence of radiation dose and monomer concentration on the grafting degree was investigated. The results indicated that the grafting degree increased in the lower monomer volume fraction until the monomer volume fraction exceeded 20%. The grafting degree increased with the increase of radiation dose. Structural and morphological of the original and grafted membrane surface were characterized by FT‐IR, scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results indicated that acrylic acid was grafted onto PVDF hollow fiber membrane and the grafted membrane was more hydrophilic than original PVDF. There was a slight increase of breaking strength and yield stress with the increase of the grafting degree of AA. The pure water flux increased initially but decreased subsequently with the raise of grafting degree. When the grafting degree was 4.4%, the maximum pure water flux reached 1496.3 L/m2 × h, 1.79 times of original membrane. The pure water flux, flux recovery rate and rejection ratio for bovine serum albumin could improve simultaneously in a low grafting degree (<4.4%).