Improved Antifouling Property of PES Ultrafiltration Membranes Using Additive of Silica−PVP Nanocomposite

To improve the surface coverage of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) on membrane surfaces and further enhance the antifouling property, a silica−PVP nanocomposite was synthesized and used as a novel hydrophilic additive to modify polyethersulfone (PES) membranes. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) observation showed that PES membranes, using additives of PVP and silica−PVP nanocomposites, have similar asymmetric structures. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) measurement indicated that the near-surface coverage of PVP for PES membrane with a silica−PVP nanocomposite additive is greater than that with a PVP additive. Protein ultrafiltration experiment also showed that the antifouling ability of PES membrane with a silica-PVP nanocomposite additive is stronger than that with a PVP additive. The hydrophilic modification with a silica−PVP nanocomposite is an appropriate method for improved antifouling property of PES ultrafiltration membranes.