Preparation of PVDF-g-PAA@Cu Hydrophilic Membrane by One-Step Gamma-Ray Irradiation and Its Antifouling and Bacteriostatic Properties

In this study, PVDF-g-PAA@Cu membranes were prepared by a one-step method in a homogeneous solution irradiated by gamma-ray. The results of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and diffraction of x-rays (XRD) showed that the grafting reaction was successful and Cu was stably loaded on the membrane. The microstructure of the membrane was analyzed by SEM. It was found that there were Cu nanoparticles on the inner pore wall of the membrane. The introduction of PAA and Cu effectively reduced the contact angle of the membrane and improved the membrane’s hydrophilicity. Comparing with the bare PVDF membrane, the filtrationand anti-fouling performance of the PVDF-g-PAA@Cu membrane had been largely improved. Moreover, the presence of Cu nanoparticles promoted the bacteriostasis of the membrane.