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Improved antifouling properties of polymer membranes using a 'layer-by-layer' mediated method
Lin Chen1, Héloïse Thérien-Aubin, Mavis C Y Wong
1Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA. christopher.ober@cornell.edu.
Journal of Materials Chemistry. B
|April 9, 2020
Summary
This study enhanced reverse osmosis membranes with antifouling polymer brushes using a layer-by-layer method. The modified membranes show improved antifouling properties without compromising water flux or salt rejection.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Chemical Engineering
- Environmental Science
Background:
- Polymeric membranes are crucial for water purification.
- Membrane fouling remains a significant challenge, reducing efficiency and lifespan.
- Developing effective antifouling strategies is essential for sustainable water treatment.
Purpose of the Study:
- To modify polymeric reverse osmosis (RO) membranes with antifouling polymer brushes.
- To investigate the efficacy of a layer-by-layer (LBL) mediated method for brush attachment.
- To evaluate the impact of modification on membrane separation performance and fouling resistance.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a layer-by-layer (LBL) assembly technique for membrane surface modification.
- Employed electrostatic interactions for the deposition of LBL films.
- Attached antifouling polymer brushes via 'grafting to' and 'grafting from' approaches.
- Characterized membrane surface changes using Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS).
- Measured surface hydrophilicity using water contact angle (WCA) analysis.
Main Results:
- Successful growth of LBL films and polymer brushes on RO membrane surfaces was confirmed by ATR-FTIR and XPS.
- Water contact angle measurements indicated changes in surface properties post-modification.
- Modified membranes exhibited significantly enhanced antifouling properties compared to virgin membranes.
- Crucially, the water flux and salt rejection performance remained largely unaffected by the modification.
Conclusions:
- The LBL-mediated method provides an effective route for grafting antifouling polymer brushes onto RO membranes.
- This surface modification strategy enhances membrane antifouling capabilities without sacrificing essential separation performance.
- The developed technique offers a promising approach for improving the long-term operational efficiency of reverse osmosis systems.
