Reducing protein fouling of a polypropylene microporous membrane by CO2 plasma surface modification

CO2 plasma was used to modify hydrophobic polypropylene microporous membranes to create hydrophilic surfaces. Structural and morphological changes on the membrane surface were characterized by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning electron microscope. Membrane performance was tested with water flux measurements as well as protein fouling studies. The relative pure water flux of the modified membranes had a maximal value for the plasma...