Plasma treatment of polyethylene ultrafiltration membranes

The effect of plasma treatment of polyethylene ultrafiltration membranes on fouling and cleaning phenomena during filtration of bovine serum albumin solutions is discussed. Air-plasma of 2.45 GHz raises the membrane surface hydrophilicity from 0 up to 60%. The flux is maintained at 90–99%. Plasma-treated membranes are easier to clean than untreated polyethylene membranes. Despite that, the plasma-modified membranes are susceptible to more intensive deposition of albumin.