Abstract
A major problem to be addressed with thin composite films used in processes such as coatings or water purification is the biofouling of the surface. To address this problem in a model system, functionalized polyaramide membranes containing an atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) initiator were synthesized as a versatile approach to easily modify the surface properties of the polyaramide. Poly(methacrylic acid) brushes were grown using surface initiated ATRP followed by the functionalization of the poly(methacrylic acid) brushes with different side-chains chosen to reduce adhesion between the membrane and foulant. The relation between membrane fouling and the physicochemical properties of the surface was investigated in detail. © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 5419-5425 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Polymer |
| Volume | 52 |
| Issue number | 24 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Nov 2011 |
| Externally published | Yes |
Bibliographical note
KAUST Repository Item: Exported on 2020-10-01Acknowledged KAUST grant number(s): KUS-C1-018-02
Acknowledgements: The authors are grateful to the Cornell-KAUST research center for financial support (Award No. KUS-C1-018-02) and to both the Nanobiotechnology Center (NBTC) and Cornell Center for Materials Research (CCMR), which are supported by NSF, for use of their facilities. One of us (H T-A) would like to acknowledge a postdoctoral fellowship from the Fonds Quebecois de la Recherche sur la Nature et les Technologies (FQRNT).
This publication acknowledges KAUST support, but has no KAUST affiliated authors.