Preparation and characterization of an amphiphilic polyamide nanofiltration membrane with improved antifouling properties by two-step surface modification method

Membrane fouling is an urgent problem needing to be solved for practical application of nanofiltration membranes. In this study, an amphiphilic nanofiltration membrane with hydrophilic domains as well as low surface energy domains was developed, to integrate a fouling-resistant defense mechanism and a fouling-release defense mechanism. A simple and effective two-step surface modification of a polyamide NF membrane was applied. Firstly, triethanolamine (TEOA) with abundant hydrophilic functional groups was grafted to the membrane surface via reacting with the residual acyl chloride group of the nanofiltration membrane, making the nanofiltration membranes more hydrophilic; secondly, the 1H,1H,2H,2H-perfluorodecyltrichlorosilane (PFTS), well-known as a low surface energy material, was covalently grafted on the hydroxyl functional groups through hydrogen bonding. Filtration experiments with model foulants (bovine serum albumin (BSA) protein solution, humic acid solution (HA) and sodium alginate solution (SA)) were performed to estimate the antifouling properties of the newly developed nanofiltration membranes. As a result of surface modification proposed in this study the antifouling properties of an amphiphilic modified F-PA/PSF membrane were enhanced more than 10% compared to the PA/PSF specimen in terms of flux recovery ratio.

Schematic diagram of amphiphilic NF membrane by a two-step modification.

Protein Resistant Polymeric Biomaterials

Toward improving implantable medical devices as well as diagnostic performance, the development of polymeric biomaterials having resistance to proteins remains a priority. Herein, we highlight key strategies reported in the recent literature that have relied upon improvement of surface hydrophilicity via direct surface modification methods or with bulk modification using surface modifying additives (SMAs). These approaches have utilized a variety of techniques to incorporate the surface hydrophilization agent, including physisorption, hydrogel network formation, surface grafting, layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly and blending base polymers with SMAs. While poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) remains the gold standard, new alternatives have emerged such as polyglycidols, poly(2-oxazoline)s (POx), polyzwitterions, and amphiphilic block copolymers. While these new strategies provide encouraging results, the need for improved correlation between in vitro and in vivo protein resistance is critical. This may be achieved by employing complex protein solutions as well as strides to enhance the sensitivity of protein adsorption measurements.

Introduction of anti-fouling coatings at the surface of supramolecular elastomeric materials via post-modification of reactive supramolecular additives

A covalent anti-fouling is introduced at the surface of supramolecular ureidopyrimidinone (UPy) based materials to prevent both protein and cell adhesion.