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One-Step Water-Induced Phase Separation Simultaneously Triggering Polymer Solidification and Polyelectrolyte
Jincheng Din1,2,3, Huiqing Wu1,3, Peiyi Wu1,3
1Key Laboratory of Science & Technology of Eco-Textile, Ministry of Education, College of Chemistry, Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|February 3, 2022
Summary
A new one-step water-induced phase separation method creates advanced composite membranes. This technique improves water flux significantly while maintaining high protein rejection, offering a straightforward path for membrane preparation.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Membrane Technology
Background:
- Functional additives are used to improve membrane performance during phase separation.
- Challenges include inhomogeneous dispersity and poor compatibility of additives within the polymer matrix.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a facile and robust strategy for preparing polyelectrolyte-containing composite membranes.
- To address the limitations of traditional methods regarding additive dispersion and compatibility.
Main Methods:
- A one-step water-induced phase separation method was employed.
- Polyanion (dopamine modified polyacrylic acid) and polycation (quaternized chitosan) were premixed and added to a polysulfone (PSF) solution.
- Simultaneous polymer solidification and polyelectrolyte complexation occurred in situ during solvent-water exchange.
Main Results:
- Uniform PSF-based casting solutions were obtained.
- Hierarchical structures in ultrafiltration membranes were tailored by altering polyelectrolyte properties.
- The resulting membrane showed a three-fold increase in water flux (672 L·m-2·h-1) compared to the raw PSF membrane.
- High bovine serum albumin (BSA) rejection was maintained.
Conclusions:
- The one-step water-induced phase separation is a straightforward and convenient method for preparing composite membranes.
- This approach allows for tunable membrane architecture and properties.
- The developed membranes show enhanced performance for potential applications in separation processes.
