Surface modification of polysulfone membranes by low-temperature plasma-graft poly(ethylene glycol) onto polysulfone membranes

A novel and general method of modifying hydrophobic polysulfone (PSF) to produce highly hydrophilic surfaces was developed. This method is the low-temperature plasma technique. Graft polymer-modified surfaces were characterized with the help of Fourier transform infrared attenuated total reflection (FTIR–ATR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Study results demonstrated that poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) could be grafted onto the PSF membrane surface by low-temperature plasma. The hydrophilic character of the modified surfaces was increased in comparison with that of the parent membrane. The contact angle for a modified PSF membrane was reduced apparently. We analyzed the effectiveness of this approach as a function of plasma operating variables including plasma treatment power and treatment time. Hence, plasma-induced graft polymer modification of membranes can be used to adjust membrane performance by simultaneously controlling the surface hydrophilicity and hemocompatibility.