Synthesis of antifouling nanoporous membranes having tunable nanopores via click chemistry

Cellulose acetate/fiber paper composite membrane for separation of an oil-in-water emulsion

The cellulose composite membrane combines the advantages of cellulose acetate and cellulose filter paper with good antifouling performance and excellent mechanical properties.

Synthesis of self-curable polysulfone containing pendant benzoxazine units via CuAAC click chemistry

Synthesis, characterization, and properties of new thermally curable polysulfone containing benzoxazine moieties in the side chain were investigated. First, chloromethylation and subsequent azidation processes were performed to form polysulfone containing pendant clickable azide groups. Independently, antagonist 3,4-dihydro-3-(prop-2-ynyl)-2H-benzoxazine was prepared by using paraformaldehyde, phenol and propargylamine. The following copper(I) catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition click reaction was applied to obtain self-curable polysulfone with pendant benzoxazine units. The polymer and intermediates at various stages were characterized by ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR and FT-IR spectroscopies. The thermal properties and curing behavior of final polymer were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry and thermal gravimetric analysis. Compared to the neat polysulfone, the obtained polymers exhibited thermally more stable polymers.

Zwitterionic polymer functionalization of polysulfone membrane with improved antifouling property and blood compatibility by combination of ATRP and click chemistry

The chemical compositions are very important for designing blood-contacting membranes with good antifouling property and blood compatibility. In this study, we propose a method combining ATRP and click chemistry to introduce zwitterionic polymer of poly(sulfobetaine methacrylate) (PSBMA), negatively charged polymers of poly(sodium methacrylate) (PNaMAA) and/or poly(sodium p-styrene sulfonate) (PNaSS), to improve the antifouling property and blood compatibility of polysulfone (PSf) membranes. Attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectra, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and water contact angle results confirmed the successful grafting of the functional polymers. The antifouling property and blood compatibility of the modified membranes were systematically investigated. The zwitterionic polymer (PSBMA) grafted membranes showed good resistance to protein adsorption and bacterial adhesion; the negatively charged polymer (PNaSS or PNaMAA) grafted membranes showed improved blood compatibility, especially the anticoagulant property. Moreover, the PSBMA/PNaMAA modified membrane showed both antifouling property and anticoagulant property, and exhibited a synergistic effect in inhibiting blood coagulation. The functionalization of membrane surfaces by a combination of ATRP and click chemistry is demonstrated as an effective route to improve the antifouling property and blood compatibility of membranes in blood-contact.