Many hydrophilic membranes acquire a pH-dependent surface charge via ionization of weakly acidic or basic functional groups in the membrane structure (primarily carboxyl and amino groups, in the case of polymeric membranes).The pH at which the positive and negative charges exactly balance, so that the membrane is uncharged, is called the isoelectric point; at pHs belowthe isoelectric point, the net charge is positive, and at pHs above it, the net charge is negative (Figure 15-5).In general, greater surface charge correlates with greater hydrophilicity. For membranes used totreat aqueous solutions, the isoelectric point is invariably at pH4, so the surface charge is negative at the pH of natural waters.