Engineering dual-heterogeneous membrane surface with heterostructured modifier to integrate multi-defense antifouling mechanisms

• DOI: 10.1016/j.cesx.2021.100103
• Publication Date: 2021-06-18T03:13:02Z
• Authors: Runnan Zhang; Yu Zheng; Niaz Ali Khan; Kang Gao; Shiyu Zhang; Chao Yang; Jingyuan Guan; Roni Kasher; Zhongyi Jiang
• Keywords: Biofouling; Membrane Fouling; Surface Engineering

Membrane fouling is one of the main bottlenecks in membrane separation processes for water purification. Due to complexity foulants, engineering surface coordinate multi-defense mechanisms essential fabricating membranes with broad-spectrum antifouling performance. In this study, we synthesized a heterostructured modifier comprising zwitterionic, fluorine-containing polymeric segments and inorganic silver nanoparticles. The modifiers were synergistically segregated during non-solvent induced phase separation. A dual-heterogeneous structure was formed, compromising physicochemical heterogeneity hydrophilic-low energy-antibacterial domains, as well topological nanopapillae. Consequently, including passive resistance, release active antibacterial integrated surface, leading superior performances against oil-in-water emulsions ultralow total flux decline ratio 3.3% recovery nearly 100%, 100% activity E. Coli an obvious inhibition zone.