Biofouling resistance of reverse osmosis membrane modified with polydopamine

Surface engineering of polymer membranes via mussel-inspired chemistry

“…The similar surface modifications for other membranes (e.g. microfiltration and anion-exchange membranes) have also been reported [100][101][102][103][104]. However, the aromatic rings in PDA coating limit the hydrophilicity and anti-fouling property of the modified membranes.…”

Effect of polydopamine coating and direct electric current application on anti-biofouling properties of anion exchange membranes in electrodialysis

“…As PDA modification increases hydrophilicity and negative charge density on the membrane surface, it is expected that a PDA coating will enhance the anti-adhesion properties (adhesion resistance of the membrane surface against bacterial attachment) of AEMs and consequently enhance the anti-biofouling properties of AEMs. Moreover, it was reported that a PDA coating on an RO membrane had slightly anti-bacterial properties and improved bacteriolysis via contact killing at pH 6 [22,23]. Thus, in this study, we modified an AEM with a PDA coating, expecting that the coating would simultaneously improve all four ED process improvement requirements (monovalent anion permselectivity, anti-inorganic fouling, anti-organic fouling, and anti-biofouling).…”

Thin film composite membranes comprising of polyamide and polydopamine for dehydration of ethylene glycol by pervaporation

“…Composite membranes produced by simply coating polydopamine onto a substrate have been used for the dehumidification of propylene gas [26], separation of thiophene from octane by pervaporation [27] and salt removal from water by nanofiltration [28]. The fouling resistance of commercial reverse osmosis membranes [29,30] and the permeation flux of commercial ultrafiltration membranes [24] were reported to have been improved by surface coating of polydopamine.…”

“…2(a)]. It may be pointed out that due to its rigid supramolecular structure[23,24,26,30], while polydopamine can be hydrated in aqueous solutions (which is desirable for pervaporative dehydration of solvents), polydopamine films may crack upon drying under high internal stresses[37]. Therefore, instead of forming a thicker [PD] layer on top of a [PA] sublayer, the [PA] sublayer was sandwiched by the [PD] sublayers in the above membranes in anticipation that this would improve the membrane stability.…”