Regulation of properties of hollow fiber membranes by low-temperature plasma

Hollow fiber polysulfone membranes with an internal selective layer were treated by low-pressure air RF plasmas. It is found that oxygen-containing functional groups on the internal surface of membranes is formed due to RF plasma action. The mean arithmetic deviation of the roughness profile (Ra) and the height of the irregularities (Rz) of the surface microrelief the membrane is decreased. The pore diameter in the membrane is equalized. The cumulative influence of these factors leads to significant increasing of hydrophilization of the selective membrane layer.