An attempt was made to reduce membrane fouling by irradiating the surface of inorganic tubular membrane with ultraviolet. Tubular membranes made of kaolin/Al2O3 mixture were fouled severely by ultra-filtration with polyethylene oxide solute. It was found that the foulant polyethylene oxide (PEO) was either decomposed or dislodged from the membrane surface by ultraviolet irradiation of the membrane surface, as evidenced by a significant increase in the pure water permeation rate. It was also found that the presence of TiO2 on the membrane surface could enhance the effect of UV irradiation. (C) 2004 Published by Elsevier B.V.