About cookies on this site Our websites require some cookies to function properly (required). In addition, other cookies may be used with your consent to analyze site usage, improve the user experience and for advertising. For more information, please review your options. By visiting our website, you agree to our processing of information as described in IBM’sprivacy statement. To provide a smooth navigation, your cookie preferences will be shared across the IBM web domains listed here.
Publication
Journal of Membrane Science
Paper
A bioinspired fouling-resistant surface modification for water purification membranes
Abstract
Surface deposition of polydopamine, PD, using facile aqueous-based chemistry at mild reaction conditions, was accomplished on reverse osmosis, nanofiltration, ultrafiltration, and microfiltration membranes. This surface treatment not only retained much of the membranes' intrinsic pure water permeability, but also improved the fouling resistance of polypropylene microfiltration (MF), poly(tetrafluoroethylene) MF, poly(vinylidene fluoride) MF, poly(arylene ether sulfone) ultrafiltration (UF), polysulfone UF, polyamide (PA) nanofiltration, and PA reverse osmosis membranes, as measured using oil/water emulsion filtration. To demonstrate scalability of this approach, PD was applied to, and improved the fouling resistance of, membrane modules. Following PD deposition, membranes could be further modified by grafting fouling-resistant macromolecules, such as poly(ethylene glycol), to further improve fouling resistance of MF membranes. © 2012 Elsevier B.V.