Antifouling coating of membrane surface with branched poly(2-hydroxyethyl acrylate) brushes via aqueous reversible deactivation radical polymerization

Abstract

Surface fouling would severely reduce the performance of membrane and increase operating costs. Recently, surface coating based on branched polymer has been developed as a novel antifouling strategy. However, synthesis of branched polymer by controlled radical polymerization in aqueous system is often challenging. Herein, we report the coating of membrane surface with branched poly(2-Hydroxyethyl acrylate) (Poly(HEA)) via copper-based reversible deactivation radical polymerization. Hydrophilic coatings based on branched polymer brushes were fabricated from membrane surface by grafting from strategy under ambient temperature or even lower in aqueous solution. The polymerization kinetics, as well as antifouling performance of respective modified membranes between linear and branched Poly(HEA) were explored. Surface analyses verified that membranes modified with branched polymer brushes have 5.75 times higher coating thickness and enhanced hydrophilicity. Antifouling experiments revealed that branched polymer brushes can endow membranes with better fouling resistance and stability.