Abstract: The development in the area of surface modification of polymeric synthetic membranes since 2000 is reviewed. Many patents, articles, and reviews have been written on the development in the area of surface modification of polymeric synthetic membranes subjected to RO, UF, NF, gas separation (GS), and biomedical applications, mainly since 2000, but recently more attention has been given to the modification of their surfaces to obtain desirable results. In particular, most emphasis has been given to plasma treatment, grafting of polymers on the surface, and modifying the surfaces by adding SMMs (surface-modifying molecules). New additives are synthesized to make the polymeric membrane surfaces either to be more hydrophilic or hydrophobic, aimed at improvement in selectivity and permeability of the membranes for GS, NF, and RO. Improvement in antifouling by surface modification is also a popular topic in the membrane industries. In the last 8 years, tremendous research efforts have been made on the development of antifouling membranes. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci, 2010
Template and target information: Review - polymeric membrane surface modification
Author keywords: synthetic membrane, surface modification, filtration, liquid separation, water treatment, gas separation