Molecular Selective Cross-Linked Amphiphilic Micelles Network: Antibiofouling Property and Fractionation of Dye and...

Molecular selective membranes having high organics rejection and extremely low salt rejection are potential candidates for fractionation and resource recovery. The added antibiofouling/antifouling property is advantageous in view of smooth fractionation. Herein, we report the construction of a core cross-linked micelles network of partially alkylated (C12) poly(vinyl imidazole) on the base membrane substrate to obtain a sub-ultrafiltration ranged barrier. Self-assembly of the cross-linked micelles on the base substrate is facilitated by the hydrophobic interaction among the alkyl chains and further intermicelles cross-linking, which leads to the close micelle array and subsequent formation of a stable cross-linked micelle network. The spaces among the micelles in the network preferentially allow water and salt to permeate through, while bigger molecules are intercepted. The cross-linked micelle network-based membrane (TUF-3) prepared by the cross-linked micelles (0.2% w/v) shows >99.5% Congo red and Direct red-80 (1 g L^-1) rejection in the presence or the absence of salts with a salt to dye selectivity of 240-498 and a pure water permeance of 30 L m^-2 h^-1 bar^-1. The TUF-3 membrane exhibits low dye fouling propensity, antimicrobial activity (98.5 to >99% bacterial reduction), and inhibition of biofilm formation. The amphiphilic cross-linked micelles network with an added functional motif shows promise for the fractionation and resource recovery operations.