Tunable Hydrophilicity in PES-Based Nanofiber Membranes via Oxygen Plasma Treatment

Membranes 2026 Open access

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Authors: Rahma Al Busaidi, Bushra Al Abri, Myo Tay Zar Myint, Sergey Dobretsov, Tamadher Al Salmani, Htet Htet Kyaw, Mohammed Al-Abri
DOI: 10.3390/membranes16020065
Cited by: 1
References: 50

Abstract

To tailor surface chemistry and wettability for advanced membrane applications, this study investigates PES-, PES–PVP-, and PES–GO-based nanofiber membranes modified through oxygen plasma treatment. The plasma process introduced reactive functional groups, including SO3H, C=O, and OH, onto the fiber surfaces, converting the membranes from hydrophobic to super-hydrophilic and enhancing their surface reactivity. This modification enabled tunable wettability, allowing controlled adjustment of the membrane’s hydrophilic behavior. Overall, the results demonstrate the effectiveness of plasma engineering in developing versatile nanofiber membranes with customizable surface properties for a wide range of applications.

Fields of Study & Subjects

Membrane Separation Technologies Surface Modification and Superhydrophobicity Electrospun Nanofibers in Biomedical Applications

Publication details

Journal / source
Membranes
Publisher
MDPI AG
Volume
16
Issue
2
Pages
65–65
Publication date
3 February 2026
Language
EN