A method for coating of hollow fiber membranes with calcium alginate

Abstract

We discuss how hydrophobic polyether sulfone hollow fiber membranes could be hydrophilized by surface coating them with natural hydrogel calcium alginate. The outer surface of the hollow fiber membrane was brought into contact with a solution of sodium alginate while calcium chloride solution was held within the lumen of the membrane. The divalent calcium ions diffused through the membrane pores and cross-linked the alginate, which formed a …