biostudies-literatureJimenez-Robles RUniversitat de ValenciaMinisterio de Ciencia, Innovación y UniversidadesConselleria de Innovación, Universidades, Ciencia y Sociedad Digital, Generalitat Valenciana29164-29179https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9995407biostudies-literatureUnknown30(11)Characterisation of the fouling attached to PVDF membranes treating an anaerobic effluent for dissolved CH₄ recovery was carried out. A commercial flat-sheet PVDF membrane and a PVDF functionalised by grafting of organofluorosilanes (mPVDF) that increased its hydrophobicity were subjected to a continuous flux of an anaerobic reactor effluent in long-term operation tests (> 800 h). The fouling cakes were studied by the membrane autopsy after these tests, combining a staining technique, FTIR, and FESEM-EDX, and the fouling extraction with water and NaOH solutions. Both organic and inorganic fouling were observed, and the main foulants were proteins, polysaccharides, and different calcium and phosphate salts. Also, a significant amount of live cells was detected on the fouling cakeEnvironmental science and pollution research internationalFouling characterisation in PVDF membrane contactors for dissolved methane recovery from anaerobic effluents: effect of surface organofluorosilanisation.PMC9995407Project GV/2019/149FPU19/02478Jimenez-Robles RIzquierdo MMartinez-Soria VfalseFouling characterisation in PVDF membrane contactors for dissolved methane recovery from anaerobic effluents: effect of surface organofluorosilanisation.Characterisation of the fouling attached to PVDF membranes treating an anaerobic effluent for dissolved CH₄ recovery was carried out. A commercial flat-sheet PVDF membrane and a PVDF functionalised by grafting of organofluorosilanes (mPVDF) that increased its hydrophobicity were subjected to a continuous flux of an anaerobic reactor effluent in long-term operation tests (> 800 h). The fouling cakes were studied by the membrane autopsy after these tests, combining a staining technique, FTIR, and FESEM-EDX, and the fouling extraction with water and NaOH solutions. Both organic and inorganic fouling were observed, and the main foulants were proteins, polysaccharides, and different calcium and phosphate salts. Also, a significant amount of live cells was detected on the fouling cake2023-01-01T00:00:00Z2023 Mar2025-04-22T04:01:59.313Z2025-04-05T20:53:31.909ZS-EPMC99954073640941010.1007/s11356-022-24019-z