Ultrathin membrane coatings - Amphiphilic graft copolymers for anti-fouling and encapsulation applications

Revindra Revanur (U. Mass)

Amphiphilic graft copolymers, composed of a poly(cyclooctene) backbone with poly (ethylene oxide) and phenyl azide grafts and pendant groups applied as coatings to commercially available membranes as well as to generate stable capsules having nanoparticles inside. The tunable nature of this graft copolymer, in terms of graft density and functionality, makes it appealing for enhancing the properties of existing polymer membranes, for example with regards to membrane fouling. UV-irradiation induced cross-linking can resist coating polymer delamination from the underlying membrane, which in turn provides a mechanism for preventing fouling of the membrane when exposed to oil-in-water emulsions. Similarly mixing or shaking organic solutions of the polymer/nanoparticles with water achieves interfacial segregation of polymers/nanoparticles on droplets, such as water droplets in oil. This typically results in the formation of droplets with a large distribution of sizes. Here we describe the application of track-etch membranes to control the size of these droplets. Control on size and distribution subsequently enhance the release nature of nanoparticles from capsules.

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