Abstract
The study explores the grafting of cellulose acetate microfiltration membranes with an aminosilane to attain antibiofilm properties. The grafting reaction was performed in the supercritical carbon dioxide used as a transport and reaction medium. The FTIR analyses and dissolution tests confirmed the covalent bonding between the aminosilane and polymer. The membranes’ microstructure was investigated using a dual-beam SEM and ion microscopy, and no adverse effects of the processing were found. The modified membranes showed a more hydrophilic nature and larger water permeate flow rate than the neat cellulose acetate membranes. The tests in a cross-filtration unit showed that modified membranes were considerably less blocked after a week of exposure to Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli than the original ones. Microbiological investigations revealed strong antibiofilm properties of the grafted membranes in experiments with Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella Enteritidis.
Highlights
One of the main concerns in membrane applications, whether in water and wastewater management, bioreactors, the biomedical field, or other applications, is biofouling [1,2]
We examine a possibility of an active substance covalent bonding to the membranes’ polymer matrix in scCO2 to obtain antibiofilm properties
Commercial cellulose acetate (CA) microfiltration membranes with 0.2 μm average pore diameter and 47 mm membrane diameter were supplied by GE Healthcare Whatman TM, Japan
Summary
One of the main concerns in membrane applications, whether in water and wastewater management, bioreactors, the biomedical field, or other applications, is biofouling [1,2]. There are several reports on using ethoxy or methoxy silanes for grafting purposes, where hydroxyl groups at the surface of the solid phase were needed for the grafting reaction [10,11,12] He et al reported bacterial cellulose grafting by 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane as a method to produce membranes with antibiofilm properties for biomedical applications [10]. The last option brought solutions to the production of hip and knee endoprosthesis [22,23] and ophthalmological contact lenses [24,25] Another significant advantage provided by supercritical fluids compared to other techniques is the modification of the solid phase throughout the whole volume due to the absence of surface tension [22,23]. The evaluation of bacterial adhesion was performed with Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli, and Salmonella Enteritidis
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
