Bio-nano Scale Modification of Polymer Membranes

Concerning the special role of membrane surfaces in practical applications, it is important to create functionalsurfaces and exert modifications in order to increase the efficiency of membrane processes. This paper focuses on usingpolydopamine (PDA) nano-layer and silica (SiO2) nano-particles in surface and bulk modification of polymer membranesbased on the recent developments in mixed matrix polymeric membranes with a bioinspired approach. It was inferredthat the flux of membranes containing silica nanoparticles increases by increasing the concentration of SiO2 nanoparticlescontent in the polymer matrix under pressure driven flow condition. The studies revealed that surfacemodification of membranes with polydopamine thin layer increases the hydrophilicity which leads to a fouling-resistantand biocompatible membrane surface.

Keywords:

Membranes , Bio-nano scale modification , Nano-particles , Nano-layer