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Activation of PVDF membranes through facile hydroxylation of the polymeric dope

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Abstract

A method comprising a two-step alkali/acid treatment of poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) polymer is developed for the fabrication of flat-sheet PVDF membranes functionalized with labile hydroxyl groups. This method involves the application of a short-duration modification in alkali medium (5% KOH). Extensive characterizations were performed on the prepared membranes. Modification of the polymer altered the crystallinity of the PVDF from a mixture of both α and β phases to a predominant β phase. Lower work of adhesion of the modified membrane indicated the formation of a more hydrophobic and wetting-resistant membrane surface. Centrifugation of the polymer dope after the modification had a pronounced impact on the properties of the resultant membranes. This protocol could be utilized in fine-tuning the properties of PVDF membranes for various target-specific applications such as membrane distillation. This method can also be used in functionalizing PVDF membranes further by exploiting the labile–OH group present on the membrane surface.

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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors acknowledge King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Saudi Arabia, for hosting the second author (Musthafa O. Mavukkandy) during the initial stage of his work in this study. The author Musthafa is also thankful to Dr. N.M. Srivatsa Bettahalli for helpful discussions.

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  1. These authors contributed equally to this work.

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical Engineering, Masdar Institute, Khalifa University of Science and Technology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

    Samer Al-Gharabli, Musthafa O. Mavukkandy, Joanna Kujawa & Hassan A. Arafat

  2. Pharmaceutical and Chemical Engineering Department, German-Jordanian University, Amman, 11180, Jordan

    Samer Al-Gharabli

  3. Faculty of Chemistry, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Toruń, 87-100, Poland

    Joanna Kujawa

  4. Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Thuwal, 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia

    Suzana P. Nunes

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  1. Samer Al-Gharabli
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  2. Musthafa O. Mavukkandy
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  3. Joanna Kujawa
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  4. Suzana P. Nunes
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  5. Hassan A. Arafat
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Correspondence to Hassan A. Arafat.

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This paper has been selected as an Invited Feature Paper.

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Al-Gharabli, S., Mavukkandy, M.O., Kujawa, J. et al. Activation of PVDF membranes through facile hydroxylation of the polymeric dope. Journal of Materials Research 32, 4219–4231 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1557/jmr.2017.403

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1557/jmr.2017.403

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