The salt-, pH- and oxidant-responsive pervaporation behaviors of weak polyelectrolyte multilayer membranes

pH-responsive membranes: Mechanisms, fabrications, and applications

Understanding the mechanisms of pH-responsiveness allows researchers to design and fabricate membranes with specific functionalities for various applications. The pH-responsive membranes (PRMs) are particular categories of membranes that have an amazing aptitude to change their properties such as permeability, selectivity and surface charge in response to changes in pH levels. This review provides a brief introduction to mechanisms of pH-responsiveness in polymers and categorizes the applied polymers and functional groups. After that, different techniques for fabricating pH-responsive membranes such as grafting, the blending of pH-responsive polymers/microgels/nanomaterials, novel polymers and graphene-layered PRMs are discussed. The application of PRMs in different processes such as filtration membranes, reverse osmosis, drug delivery, gas separation, pervaporation and self-cleaning/antifouling properties with perspective to the challenges and future progress are reviewed. Lastly, the development and limitations of PRM fabrications and applications are compared to provide inclusive information for the advancement of next-generation PRMs with improved separation and filtration performance.

Highly Selective and pH-Stable Reverse Osmosis Membranes Prepared via Layered Interfacial Polymerization

Ultrathin and smooth polyamide (PA) reverse osmosis (RO) membranes have attracted significant interest due to their potential advantages of high permeance and low fouling propensity. Although a layered interfacial polymerization (LIP) technique aided by the insertion of a polyelectrolyte interlayer has proven effective in fabricating ultrathin and uniform membranes, the RO performance and pH stability of the fabricated LIP membrane remain inadequate. In this study, a poly(piperazineamide) (PIPA) layer prepared via interfacial polymerization (IP) was employed as an interlayer to overcome the limitations of the prototype LIP method. Similar to the control polyelectrolyte-interlayered LIP membrane, the PIPA-interlayered LIP (pLIP) membrane had a much thinner (~20 nm) and smoother selective layer than the membrane fabricated via conventional IP due to the highly surface-confined and uniform LIP reaction. The pLIP membrane also exhibited RO performance exceeding that of the control LIP and conventional IP-assembled membranes, by enabling denser monomer deposition and a more confined interfacial reaction. Importantly, the chemically crosslinked PIPA interlayer endowed the pLIP membrane with higher pH stability than the control polyelectrolyte interlayer. The proposed strategy enables the fabrication of high-performance and pH-stable PA membranes using hydrophilic supports, which can be applied to other separation processes, including osmosis-driven separation and organic solvent filtration.

Design of microstructure for hollow fiber loose nanofiltration separation layer and its compactness-tailoring mechanism

In order to promote the application of membrane technology in the treatment of textile wastewater containing small molecule dye, fabricating a hollow fiber loose nanofiltration (LNF) with a thin and compact separation layer and deepening the understanding of compactness-tailoring mechanism in chemical crosslinking are essential. Firstly, the mechanisms of synergistic crosslinking of PEI-70K and PEI-10K, along with a weakening of the PEI hydration by ethanol, were expounded in primary crosslinking. Then, some LNF separation layers with different compactness were prepared through crosslinking with different crosslinkers to further reduce pore size, which resulted in the efficient removal (~100%) of a small molecular dye (methyl orange (MO), M = 327 g mol^-1). The removal of methyl orange is mainly caused by size sieving. The relationship among the pore size, the M_w of the secondary crosslinkers, and the pore size reduction rate was interpreted by comparing the pore size reduction rate of three secondary crosslinkers with different molecular weights. In addition, the as-prepared separation layer exhibited excellent dimensional stability and solvent resistance. This paper not only provides a reference for fabricating hollow fiber LNF with better purification performance, but also shows their potential in developing solvent resistant nanofiltration.

Synthesis and Characterization of Silk Ionomers for Layer-by-Layer Electrostatic Deposition on Individual Mammalian Cells

Nanocoating of individual mammalian cells with polymer layers has been of increasing interest in biotechnology and biomedical engineering applications. Electrostatic layer-by-layer (LbL) deposition of polyelectrolytes on negatively charged cell surfaces has been utilized for cell nanocoatings using synthetic or natural polymers with a net charge at physiological conditions. Here, our previous synthesis of silk-based ionomers through modification of silk fibroin (SF) with polyglutamate (PG) and polylysine (PL) was exploited for the nanocoating of mammalian cells. SF-PL constructs were cytotoxic to mammalian cells, thus an alternative approach for the synthesis of silk ionomers through carboxylation and amination of regenerated SF chains was utilized. Through the optimization of material properties and composition of incubation buffers, silk ionomers could be electrostatically assembled on the surface of murine fibroblasts and human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs) to form nanoscale multilayers without significantly impairing cell viability. The resulting silk-based protein nanoshells were transient and degraded over time, allowing for cell proliferation. The strategies presented here provide a basis for the cytocompatible nanoencapsulation of mammalian cells within silk-based artificial cell walls, with potential benefits for future studies on surface engineering of mammalian cells, as well as for utility in cell therapies, 3D printing, and preservation.

Transport studies of ionic solutes through chitosan/chondroitin sulfate A (CHI/CS) polyelectrolyte multilayer membranes

Nano scale assembling has led to the capability to directly control and enhance the capabilities and properties of a material through change of its structural makeup at the nano scale. A novel class of functional layers in which various properties can be tunable via in situ modifications of nanostructure through stimuli such as pH, capping, and salt addition provides a promising strategy to develop polyion responsive polyelectrolyte multilayer membranes (PEM’s). The concentration (diffusion dialysis) and pressure dependent (ultrafiltration) studies of solution containing polyvalent ions through the chitosan/chondroitin sulfate A (CHI/CS) multilayers fabricated on ultipore membrane have been studied. The characterization of the bilayer pair was done with analytical instruments like ATR-FTIR, spectroscopic ellipsometry, SEM, AFM and finally TGA for water holding capacity. The characterization of bilayer pairs demonstrated the stability and integrity of bilayer pair. An important bilayer property such as water holding capacity and ion permeability across it was examined and a positive correlation was found with increase in number of bilayers. The possibility of capping a fabricated bilayer with another polyelectrolyte, polyethylene glycol (PEG) was used to examine the extend of efficiency. The permeation rate of ions across bilayers increased with makeup salt concentration was observed with capping. An increase in selectivity was observed with increase in the number of bilayers for Na+/Cu2+, Na+/Ag+ and Na+/Mn3+. 12.5 hybrid CHI/CS-PEG membranes shows a selectivity of 38.52 for Cl−/PO4 3− with a permeation rate of 37.54 × 10–5 cms−1 and 4.23 × 10–5 cms−1 respectively for Cl− and PO4 3−. The transport profile of a model vitamin, ascorbic acid (AA) through CHI/CS multilayers showed the capability of bilayer membrane for selective solute transport.

pH-Triggered Membrane in Pervaporation Process

Dehydration of binary methyl acetate-water mixtures under neutral, acidic, and basic conditions was carried out by using PERVAP composite membranes based on polyvinyl alcohol and poly(1-vinylpyrrolidone-co-2-(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) P(VP-co-DMAEMA). The effects of an acid (HCl) and a base (NaOH) on the separation performance of the membrane during the pervaporation process were investigated. The pH-responsive nature of membranes has been confirmed by swelling tests and analysis of the chemical structure of polymeric membranes. In addition, a mechanism of ring-opening of VP units is proposed and correlated to the changes of membrane separation performance.

Recent Advances in the Fabrication of Membranes Containing "Ion Pairs" for Nanofiltration Processes

In the face of serious environmental pollution and water scarcity problems, the membrane separation technique, especially high efficiency, low energy consumption, and environmental friendly nanofiltration, has been quickly developed. Separation membranes with high permeability, good selectivity, and strong antifouling properties are critical for water treatment and green chemical processing. In recent years, researchers have paid more and more attention to the development of high performance nanofiltration membranes containing “ion pairs”. In this review, the effects of “ion pairs” characteristics, such as the super-hydrophilicity, controllable charge character, and antifouling property, on nanofiltration performances are discussed. A systematic survey was carried out on the various approaches and multiple regulation factors in the fabrication of polyelectrolyte complex membranes, zwitterionic membranes, and charged mosaic membranes, respectively. The mass transport behavior and antifouling mechanism of the membranes with “ion pairs” are also discussed. Finally, we present a brief perspective on the future development of advanced nanofiltration membranes with “ion pairs”.

From pH- to Light-Response: Postpolymerization Modification of Polymer Brushes Grafted onto Microporous Polymeric Membranes

A microporous pH- and light-responsive membrane that enables remote control over its interfacial properties has been fabricated. pH-Responsiveness was imparted to a porous polypropylene film via grafting of poly(methacrylic acid) brushes from the substrate using argon-plasma-induced free-radical graft polymerization. Morphological changes as a function of grafting level were analyzed using atomic force microscopy. Conversion into a light-responsive membrane was performed via postpolymerization modification to covalently attach photochromic spiropyran moieties to the grafted polymer brushes. Reversible switches in wettability and permeability were determined upon changing from acidic to basic pH or upon alternating UV- and visible-light irradiation. Additionally, light-responsive membranes show a switch in color upon UV exposure.

Self-cleaning and antifouling nanofiltration membranes—superhydrophilic multilayered polyelectrolyte/CSH composite films towards rejection of dyes

Superhydrophilic multilayered polyelectrolyte–calcium silicate hydrate membranes (PEI/PSS)_2.0(PEI/PSS–CSH)n on a polyacrylonitrile substrate were prepared. Their surface structure, rejection of dyes, high flux, and self-cleaning and antifouling properties were investigated.

Covalent crosslinked polyelectrolyte complex membrane with high negative charges towards anti-natural organic matter fouling nanofiltration

Removal of natural organic matter (NOM) from drinking water by membrane technology is attracting increasing attention.

Multifunctional polyelectrolyte multilayers as nanofiltration membranes and as sacrificial layers for easy membrane cleaning

This manuscript investigates the modification of an ultra-filtration (UF) membrane support with polyelectrolyte multilayers (PEMs) consisting of the weak polyelectrolytes poly(allyl amine) hydrochloride (PAH) and poly(acrylic acid) (PAA). These prepared polyelectrolyte multilayer membranes have a dual function: They act as nanofiltration (NF) membranes and as sacrificial layers to allow easy cleaning of the membranes. In order to optimize the conditions for PEM coating and removal, adsorption and desorption of these layers on a model surface (silica) was first studied via optical reflectometry. Subsequently, a charged UF membrane support was coated with a PEM and after each deposited layer, a clear increase in membrane resistance against pure water permeation and a switch of the zeta potential were observed. Moreover these polyelectrolyte multilayer membranes, exhibited rejection of solutes in a range typical for NF membranes. Monovalent ions (NaCl) were hardly rejected (<24%), while rejections of >60% were observed for a neutral organic molecule sulfamethoxazole (SMX) and for the divalent ion SO3(2-). The rejection mechanism of these membranes seems to be dominated by size-exclusion. To investigate the role of these PEMs as sacrificial layers for the cleaning of fouled membranes, the prepared polyelectrolyte multilayers were fouled with silica nano particles. Subsequent removal of the coating using a rinse and a low pressure backwash with pH 3, 3M NaNO3 allowed for a drop in membrane resistance from 1.7⋅10(14)m(-1) (fouled membrane) to 9.9⋅10(12)m(-1) (clean membrane), which is nearly equal to that of the pristine membrane (9.7⋅10(12)m(-1)). Recoating of the support membrane with the same PEMs resulted in a resistance equal to the resistance of the original polyelectrolyte multilayer membrane. Interestingly, less layers were needed to obtain complete foulant removal from the membrane surface, than was the case for the model surface. The possibility for backwashing allows for an even more successful use of the sacrificial layer approach in membrane technology than on model surfaces. Moreover, these PEMs can be used to provide a dual function, as NF membranes and as a Sacrificial coating to allow easy membrane cleaning.