Antibiofouling Polyvinylidene Fluoride Membrane Modified by Quaternary Ammonium Compound: Direct Contact-Killing versus Induced Indirect Contact-Killing

• DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.6b00902
• Publication Date: 2016-04-22T13:09:58Z
• Authors: Xingran Zhang; Jinxing Ma; Chuyang Y. Tang; Zhiwei Wang; How Yong Ng; Zhichao Wu
• Keywords: Polyvinylidene fluoride; Biofouling; Membrane Fouling

Widespread applications of membrane technology call for the development antibiofouling membranes. For traditional contact-killing strategy, antibacterial action is restricted to surface: loses its efficacy once surface completely covered with a fouling layer. However, in this study, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) microfiltration membranes blended quaternary ammonium compound (QAC) exhibited surprisingly lasting antimicrobial activity vicinity surface. The results indicated that QAC was capable driving segregation high structural stability, and modified shows clear effects against both Gram-positive Gram-negative bacteria. Covering by an abiotic alginate layer resulted loss efficiency 86.2%. In contrast, maintained after developing biofilm Staphylococcus aureus 30 μm thickness. current study may suggest bacteria affected might interact other vicinity, resulting retarded growth. effect associated mechanism were further validated bioreactor during long-term operation.