Superamphophilic antimicrobial membrane engineered with zinc-coordinated metallo-polymeric framework nanocoating

Abstract

The combat against contamination by trace amounts of water and bacteria in aviation fuel remains a challenge, necessitating a comprehensive strategy. Here, a superamphophilic antimicrobial membrane is developed by featuring a stable zinc-coordinated polydopamine metallo-polymeric framework (PDA/Zn) on the skeleton of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) non-woven fabric. The formation of the PDA/Zn framework is streamlined through dopamine polymerization synchronized with metallo-ion coordination. This work delves into the intrinsic stability and superamphiphilic properties of the PDA/Zn framework, as well as systematically investigates its performance in fuel dehydration and carbophilus elimination. The resulting membrane exhibits a high gravity-driven flux and achieves a significant reduction in water content to below 10 ppm in aviation fuel, attributed to a demulsification and aggregation mechanism. Furthermore, our findings highlight the nearly complete antibacterial multifunctionality of the proposed membrane. It effectively prevents bacterial attachment at the liquid-solid interface and brings about bacterial eradication through the presence of Zn2+ ions and the mechanical puncturing effect of nanostructure cusps. This work not only advances applications in water dehydration and bacterial elimination but also pioneers opportunities for designing advanced functional membranes with multifaceted functionalities, including anti-fouling, self-cleaning, and antimicrobial properties, setting the stage for broader applications in membrane field.