Polyelectrolyte Functionalized Membranes From NF Type Separations to Catalysis

Membrane processes are finding wide applications ranging from water treatment to reactors to advanced bio-separations.  The development of tunable (single layer and LbL assembly in pores) membranes provide added opportunities in permeate flux and separation selectivity control, and enzymatic catalysis. Traditionally, microfiltration (MF) membrane separations have been performed on the basis of size exclusion and are typically used for filtration of suspended solids, bacteria, viruses, etc.   However, microfiltration membranes can be functionalized with a variety of polyelectrolytes/polypeptides. The potential field established by these functionalities extends well within the inner pore structure promoting electrostatic interactions with ionic species in solution. Electrostatic LbL assembly in pores is achieved through alternate adsorption of cationic and anionic polyelectrolytes under convective flow conditions.

The presentation will include: (1) pore functionalization approaches with polypeptides, and direct polymerization of acrylic acid, (2) flux modulations and NF type ion separation results, (3) pore functionalized stacked membranes for enzymatic and environmentally important reactions. The authors acknowledge the support of NIEHS-SRP and NSF-IGERT Programs.