The increase of antifouling properties of ultrafiltration membrane coated by star-shaped polymers

Star-shaped polymers were prepared by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) using poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate (PEGMA) and methyl methacrylate (MMA) as monomers and polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) as a core material. Linear copolymers from PEGMA and MMA were also prepared for comparison purposes. Polysulfone (PSf) ultrafiltration membranes coated with the star-shaped polymer showed larger fouling resistance and flux recovery than those coated with the linear-shaped polymer. The improved antifouling properties of the star-shaped polymer compared with those of the linear polymer were ascribed to its larger oxygen to carbon ratio and smaller interactive forces with proteins.