Vacuum UV (VUV) Photo-Oxidation of Polyethersulfone (PES)

International need for water quality is placing a high demand on separation technology to develop advanced oxidative processes polyethersulfone (PES) membranes help improve purification. Therefore, VUV photo-oxidation with low pressure Ar plasma was studied the hydrophilicity of PES by flowing oxygen over surface during treatment. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) detected decrease in C at% (4.4 ± 1.7 at%), increase O (3.7 1.0 and constant S (5.4 0.2 at%). Curve fitting XPS spectra showed sp2 C-C aromatic group bonding, an C-O, C-S, O=C-OH, sulphonate (-SO3) sulphate (-SO4) functional groups treatment time. The contact angle decreased from 71.9° untreated down saturation level 41.9° Since scanning electron microscopy (SEM) no major changes roughness, mainly due oxidation surface. Washing photo-oxidized samples or ethanol increased up 66° indicating formation weak boundary layer.