Surface modification of polypropylene microporous membrane to improve its antifouling characteristics in an SMBR: N2 plasma treatment

Fouling is the major obstacle in membrane processes applied in water and wastewater treatment. The polypropylene hollow fiber microporous membranes (PPHFMMs) were surface modified by N2 low-temperature plasma treatment to improve the antifouling characteristics. Morphological changes on the membrane surface were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM). The change of surface wettability was monitored by contact angle measurements. The static water contact angle of the modified membrane reduced obviously; the relative pure water flux of the modified membranes increased with the increase of plasma treatment time. To assess the relation between plasma treatment and membrane fouling in a submerged membrane bioreactor (SMBR), filtration of activated sludge was carried out by using synthetic wastewater. After continuous operation in the SMBR for about 90 h, flux recoveries for the N2 plasma-treated PPHFMM for 8 min were 62.9% and 67.8% higher than those of the virgin membrane after water and NaOH cleaning. The irreversible fouling resistance decreased after plasma treatment.