Block copolymer thin films that include low surface energy domains are analyzed as a possible way to overcome the problem of membrane fouling by proteins and other natural organic matter. A model is presented that accounts for both fouling due to chemical interactions between the solute and surface and due to convective deposition. Guidelines for the formation of novel membranes with improved fouling-resistant properties are suggested based on comparison of the relative permeate flux decline due to fouling on different model copolymer membranes. In general, it is observed that copolymer films having small and dispersed polymer blocks that interact unfavorably with the fouling species show an overall decrease in fouling and increase in permeate flux compared with the homopolymer films. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.