Modification and properties study of thermo-responsive PVDF flat membrane

N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAm) was grafted on Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) flat membrane by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The grafting copolymer was characterized by Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), ¹H NMR, Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Contact angle on membrane surface and water penetration were measured. The results showed that the NIPAAm was grafted on the PVDF membrane successfully and the membrane pore was becoming smaller. After the grafting of NIPAAm, the water contact angles of PVDF membranes reduced, and the hydrophilicity of the grafted membrane was improved. The water fluxes of the modified membrane was abruptly increased at 32 °C . The modified membranes exhibited temperature-responsive permeability.