Preparation of hydrophilic polypropylene hollow fiber membranes by UV modification.

A polypropylene hollow fiber membrane (PPHFM) was obtained by UV grafting polyacrylic acid (PAA) on the surface. The hydrophilicity of PPHFM was improved with water contact angle reduced from 82.3°° to 73.6°. The photoinitiator and monomer concentration conditions had significant effects on the grafting rates. After modification, the pure water flux decreased, but the rejection rate was improved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]