Engineering amphiphilic membrane surfaces based on PEO and PDMS segments for improved antifouling performances
Abstract(#br)Antifouling membrane surfaces capable of reducing biofouling are highly desirable in a broad range of applications. In this study, amphiphilic membrane surfaces, derived from block copolymers bearing hydrophilic poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO) and low surface energy polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) segments, have been constructed via surface segregation during the standard phase inversion process. The surface chemical features of the membranes are confirmed by contact angle measurement, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and surface energy analysis.