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Antibiofouling thin-film composite membranes (TFC) by in situ formation of Cu-(m-phenylenediamine) oligomer complex

  • Biomaterials
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Abstract

In situ formation of a Cu-(m-phenylenediamine) (Cu-mPD) oligomer complex from copper chloride during the interfacial polymerization process was successfully employed to produce modified thin-film composite reverse osmosis membranes (TFC-RO) with antibiofouling properties. Membranes were characterized by field emission scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), atomic force microscopy, and contact angle measurements. Antibiofouling properties were studied using a colony-forming unit test with Escherichia coli. Moreover, an antiadhesion test was developed using fluorescence microscopy. Membrane performance using a cross-flow cell was evaluated, and copper concentration in permeate water was measured. FTIR, XPS and XRD results confirmed the formation of a Cu-mPD oligomer complex and its incorporation into the polyamide layer. A mechanism for formation of the oligomer within the membrane was proposed based on the interaction between the oxygen of the carbonyl group of the polyamide layer and copper ion of the Cu-mPD oligomer complex. The modified membrane showed a slight decrease in hydrophilicity and higher surface roughness. However, excellent antibacterial and antiadhesion effects were observed, attributed to copper toxicity as a result of Cu2+ ions release from the membrane surface. Release of copper ions in the permeate water was determined, and the maximum value observed was considered negligible according to the World Health Organization. The desalination performance of modified membrane showed an important salt rejection with stable water flux. In conclusion, a novel chemical method for the incorporation of Cu-mPD oligomer complex into the polyamide layer of TFC-RO membranes to improve their antibiofouling properties and desalination performance was achieved.

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Acknowledgements

The authors gratefully acknowledge financial support provided by National Fund for Scientific and Technological Development (FONDECYT) of the Government of Chile (Project No. 11130251). The authors thank Solvay Advanced Polymers for donating the polysulfone Udel P-1700. The authors also thank to the Water Quality Laboratory of the Department of Civil Engineering of Universidad de Chile for giving the infrastructure and the technician Viviana Lorca for TOC measures made.

Funding

This study was funded by National Fund for Scientific and Technological Development (FONDECYT) of the Government of Chile (Grant No. 11130251).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Advanced Mining Technology Center (AMTC), Universidad de Chile, Av. Tupper 2007, 8370451, Santiago, Chile

    B. Rodríguez, D. Oztürk, M. Rosales & A. García

  2. Laboratory of Nanoscale Materials, Department of Materials Science, Universidad de Chile, Beauchef 851, 8370456, Santiago, Chile

    M. Rosales

  3. Physics Department, Faculty of Physics and Mathematics Sciences, Universidad de Chile, 8370415, Santiago, Chile

    M. Flores

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  1. B. Rodríguez
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Correspondence to A. García.

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Rodríguez, B., Oztürk, D., Rosales, M. et al. Antibiofouling thin-film composite membranes (TFC) by in situ formation of Cu-(m-phenylenediamine) oligomer complex. J Mater Sci 53, 6325–6338 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10853-018-2039-4

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