Remarkable pH-responsive polypropylene microfiltration membrane through surface entrapment of poly(2-(diethylamino)...

Polypropylene (PP) microfiltration membrane were functionalized with an adsorption/surface entrapment process, using block copolymers with poly(n-butyl acrylate) (PBA) as anchor block being capable to tether the pH-responsive block poly(2-(diethylamino) ethyl methacrylate) (PDEA) to the surface, Homopolymer and Block copolymer synthesis was investigated by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) using PMDETA, CuBr and ethyl acetate. These polymers were characterized by 1H NMR and GPC. Copolymer of PDEA with polybutylacrylate (PBA) was selected as best suitable modifier. Models related to the underlying deswelling/entrapment process which leads to fixation of the modifier were considered. Surface properties were analyzed by ATR-FTIR spectroscopy and water contact angle measurements, which confirmed the presence of modifier and a strong improvement of surface and pore wettability. The structure of membranes was evaluated using Polarized Optical Microscopy. Furthermore the pH-sensitive properties of modified PP membranes were verified by pH-dependence of water permeability which due to protonation/deprotonation and volume phase transition of PDEA around the pH 6-6.9.