Highly Dual Antifouling and Antibacterial Ultrafiltration Membranes Modified with Silane Coupling Agent and Capsaicin-Mimic Moieties

Abstract

Dual antifouling and antibacterial polysulfone(PSf)/polyethersulfone(PES) hybrid membranes were developed by the synergy of capsaicin-mimic N-(5-methyl acrylamide-2,3,4 hydroxy benzyl) acrylamide (AMTHBA) and vinyl triethylene (b-methoxy ethoxy) silane (VTMES). First, AMTHBA as a natural antimicrobial agent was incorporated into a casting solution via "microwave-assistance (MWA) in situ polymerization-blending" process to construct a hydroxyl-rich environment. Then, VTMES crosslinked to a hydroxyl-rich polymer matrix via hydrolytic condensation, and the influence of VTMES content on the hybrid membrane properties was systematically investigated. When the VTMES added amount was 1.0 wt %, the hybrid membrane achieved an optimal separation performance including a steady-state humic acid (HA) (5 mg/L) permeation flux of 326 L·m −2 ·h −1 and a rejection percentage of 97%. The antibacterial tests revealed that the hybrid membranes exhibited sustained bactericidal activity and effective inhibition of bacterial adhesion. Besides, the dual-functional membranes were clean as new after two-cycles filtration (with a cleaning efficiency of~90%), indicating that the network silicone film on the surface benefits the foulant repellence. Hopefully, the dual-functional membranes constructed in this study can be applicable to the pretreatment stage of water treatment.Polymers 2020, 12, 412 2 of 17 attachment of organic fouling and bacteria; (ii) bactericidal membranes for killing attached bacteria and preventing the formation of viable biofilm, which is principally against biofouling; and (iii) dual-functional bactericidal membranes for reducing both organic fouling and biofouling [13][14][15][16]. Among these, dual-functional bactericidal modification combining two strategies into one system is considered an ideal method. For example, Zhang et al.[17] designed a dual-functional antibacterial surface with a two-step surface modification strategy, aiming to acquire the properties of fouling resistance and antibacterial performance. Besides, Xie et al. [18] co-deposited polydopamine (PDA) and a zwitterionic polymer onto a polyethersulfone (PES) substrate and then immersed the surface in a AgNO 3 solution, leading to satisfactory antibacterial and antibiofouling properties. More recently, Wu et al. [19] synthesized a bifunctional membrane by incorporating silver-polydopamine nanohybrid (Ag-PDA) nanocomposites in a polysulfone membrane matrix. These results indicated the obvious advantages of dual functionality. However, due to the absence of strong bonding with surrounding polymers, active particles can be gradually leached out during operation, which could deteriorate the membrane antifouling efficiency [20]. In addition, the release of additional agents may have some potential impacts on the environment and human health [21].Capsaicin-mimic materials used as natural antifungal and antibacterial agents exhibit strong inhibition effects on various microbes and have been widely applied to resist marine or biomedical bacterial attachmen...

Preparation of Cross-Linked Graphene Oxide on Polyethersulfone Membrane for Pharmaceuticals and Personal Care Products Removal

“…The most common method to modify the separation membrane is by adding GO to the casting membrane materials for phase inversion [ 37 ]. Some studies show that the hydrophilicity of the modified membrane is enhanced, and the water flux is increased while ensuring the removal rate of contaminants [ 38 , 39 , 40 , 41 ].…”

Recent Advances on the Fabrication of Antifouling Phase-Inversion Membranes by Physical Blending Modification Method

“…Moreover, the agglomeration of inorganic additives is found to have induced increased surface roughness which significantly affects the antifouling properties of the membrane as it decreases steric repulsion against foulants. In order to mitigate these problems, recent works have utilized in situ polymerization [ 372 , 388 , 389 , 390 , 391 , 392 , 393 , 394 , 395 , 396 , 397 , 398 , 399 , 400 , 401 , 402 , 403 ], in situ self-assembly of polymeric nanoparticles [ 404 ], in situ growth or in situ synthesis [ 399 , 405 ], and in situ generation of nanomaterials [ 391 , 406 ] in the casting solution as strategies to help counter the agglomeration of nanoparticles or nanomaterials in the polymer matrix thus, enhancing the polymer–additive interaction [ 33 ]. In order to achieve the latter, the precursors of the nanomaterials must be soluble in the dope casting solution and can react with the non-solvent in the coagulation bath [ 34 , 349 ].…”

Relationship between the Antifungal Activity of Chitosan–Capsaicin Nanoparticles and the Oxidative Stress Response on Aspergillus parasiticus

“…There is evidence of the capacity of capsaicin to act as an antioxidant agent on the incorporation of the biomolecule into chitosan-based films, as the OH groups of the molecular structure can induce an antioxidant effect via molecular interaction [ 11 ]. In addition, an antimicrobial effect of polyethylene glycol–capsaicin films has been reported in E. coli [ 17 ], as well as in the apoptosis of cancerous cells through the intracellular elevation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) [ 1 , 18 ].…”