PEDOT surface modified PVDF filtration membrane for conductive membrane preparation and fouling mitigation

The organic conductive membrane was prepared by polymerization of 3.4-ethylene dioxythiophene (EDOT) on a PVDF membrane surface via chemical vapor deposition. After modification, the sheet resistance of the organic membrane was 14.07 k Omega/square and the hydrophilicity of the membrane increased slightly. The adsorption ability of the modified membrane for BSA, sodium humate and sodium alginate decreased, obviously because of the pores being blocked by PEDOT. The solid surface ZETA potential of the modified membrane was much more positive than that of the blank one. The modified membrane showed a certain level of chemical stability during alkali cleaning and NaClO corrosion repeated five times. During the six cycles of short-term filtration, the modified membrane with 1 V/cm of electric field showed stable anti-fouling properties because of less filter cake formation on the membrane surface compared to a blank and modified membrane without electric field. No more divalent cation accumulation on the membrane surface was found under the electric field, which might benefit from its electric neutrality surface.

Automated summary

The organic conductive membrane prepared by chemical vapor deposition on a PVDF membrane surface showed stable chemical properties and anti-fouling performance after modification, with a slight decrease in adsorption capacity. Additionally, the presence of an electric field further enhanced the anti-fouling properties of the modified membrane compared to the blank and modified membranes without electric field.