Hyperbranched polyester (HBPE) was synthesized by melt polycondensation and the molecular weight of prepared FIBRE was 5480 g/mol. Porous hollow fiber membranes were prepared via non-solvent induced phase separation (NIPS) from dope solutions composed of polysullone (PSI), N-methy1-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG400) and FIBRE. Membrane morphologies, permeation performance, transient pure water contact angle and mechanical property of the prepared membranes were measured to investigate the effects of FIBRE on membrane structures and properties. The addition of HUE led to the coexistence of finger-like and sponge-like structures in the membranes. When the FIBRE content increased from 0 to 3.0 wt%, there was a sharp decrease in contact angle. At the same time, the porosity, mean effective pore size, pure water flux and the breaking strength of membranes increased with the HOPE content. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved