TY - JOUR
T1 - Activation of PVDF membranes through facile hydroxylation of the polymeric dope
AU - Al-Gharabli, Samer
AU - Mavukkandy, Musthafa O.
AU - Kujawa, Joanna
AU - Nunes, Suzana Pereira
AU - Arafat, Hassan A.
N1 - KAUST Repository Item: Exported on 2020-10-01
Acknowledgements: 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.
PY - 2017/10/30
Y1 - 2017/10/30
N2 - 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.
AB - 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.
UR - http://hdl.handle.net/10754/626297
UR - https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/journal-of-materials-research/article/activation-of-pvdf-membranes-through-facile-hydroxylation-of-the-polymeric-dope/466E373846F0A6D64B9B961187B4B707
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85033406226&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1557/jmr.2017.403
DO - 10.1557/jmr.2017.403
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85033406226
SN - 0884-2914
VL - 32
SP - 4219
EP - 4231
JO - Journal of Materials Research
JF - Journal of Materials Research
IS - 22
ER -