PEGylated Cross-Linked Amphiphilic Micellar Network for Fouling Release and Antibiofouling Ultrafiltration Membranes

We report the development of a membrane surface featuring both fouling release and antimicrobial properties, incorporating biocidal and fouling release structural motifs. The ultrafiltration membrane surface is modified by the PEGylated cross-linked micelles of partially alkylated poly(vinyl imidazole) followed by brief solvent evaporation to obtain an interconnected micelles network via intra- and intermicellar cross-linking and alkyl chain entanglement. The resulting PEGylated micellar coating endows the membrane surface with strong antimicrobial and biofilm inhibition activity. The modified membrane (MUF-PEG2k) displays good antifouling/antibiofouling performance during the separation of emulsified oil, protein, and bacteria with flux recovery ratios of 86.6%, 86%, and 93%, respectively, after total 40 h of test. The combined effects of low-surface-energy alkyl and polar hydrophilic PEG chains promote fouling release activity, while quaternized amine groups and lipophilic alkyl segments provide antimicrobial and biofilm inhibition properties. Glass and 96-cell well surfaces are also modified by this process. This strategy offers a platform for engineering robust, multifunctional membrane surfaces toward sustainable separation and biofouling mitigation.