Electrospun nanofibrous membranes (ENM) have emerged as a highly promising platform for advanced water purification due to their exceptional structural and functional attributes. These membranes exhibit high porosity with interconnected pores, a large surface-to-volume ratio, and tunable chemical functionality, making them ideal for targeted separation processes. In this study, we developed low-pressure affinity membranes using functionalized polyacrylate copolymers electrospun into nanofibrous structures. The functional groups—acid, amide, pyridine, and quaternary amine—were systematically incorporated to enable specific interactions with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs). The resulting membranes demonstrated outstanding filtration efficiency under dynamic flow conditions, achieving 100% removal of AuNPs within 6 minutes for the Nplus-functionalized membrane. This performance surpasses that of the Pyr-functionalized membrane, which relies on weaker physical adsorption mechanisms.
A key innovation in this work is the use of UV-induced cross-linking via a methacryloyl-oxy-benzophenone (MABP) monomer. This approach significantly enhances mechanical stability without compromising hydrophilicity. Cross-linked membranes achieved tensile strengths up to 11.6 MPa, representing an improvement of over 90% compared to non-cross-linked counterparts. The cross-linking also reduced fiber swelling by up to 26%, minimizing pore collapse during wet operation. This suppression of swelling is crucial for maintaining consistent pressure drop and filtration performance under varying hydration conditions. Furthermore, the relationship between membrane properties and filtration behavior was analyzed through systematic variation of functional group content (10–70 mol%) and MABP concentration (5–30 mol%).
The influence of functional groups on filtration efficiency was clearly demonstrated. While the NIPAM and AA membranes showed negligible AuNP capture, likely due to lack of effective interaction with negatively charged AuNPs, the Pyr and Nplus membranes exhibited strong adsorption. The Nplus membrane outperformed all others due to ionic interactions between its positively charged quaternary ammonium groups and the negatively charged AuNPs. This mechanism ensures robust binding and high selectivity even at elevated flow rates. Scanning electron microscopy confirmed higher AuNP deposition on Nplus and Pyr fibers, while infrared spectroscopy revealed characteristic shifts post-filtration, confirming successful affinity-based adsorption.
Moreover, pressure drop analysis revealed that pore size and mechanical strength are primary determinants of hydraulic resistance, with hydrophilicity playing a secondary role.Phospho-PKC α(Thr638) Antibody Technical Information An exponential correlation model indicated that pore size has the strongest influence on pressure drop, followed by maximum tensile stress.Tyrosinase Antibody Protocol These findings highlight the importance of balancing hydrophilic functionality with mechanical integrity in membrane design.PMID:34652636 The optimized membranes not only deliver high filtration efficiency but also maintain low pressure drops, enabling scalable, energy-efficient applications.
In conclusion, this study presents a rational design strategy for low-pressure affinity membranes based on functionalized electrospun polyacrylates. By integrating UV-curable cross-linkers and tailored functional groups, we achieved membranes with superior mechanical strength, suppressed swelling, and exceptional selectivity for AuNPs. The results underscore the critical role of functional group chemistry in affinity separation and pave the way for broader applications in nanoparticle recovery, environmental remediation, and advanced water treatment technologies.MedChemExpress (MCE) offers a wide range of high-quality research chemicals and biochemicals (novel life-science reagents, reference compounds and natural compounds) for scientific use. We have professionally experienced and friendly staff to meet your needs. We are a competent and trustworthy partner for your research and scientific projects.Related websites: https://www.medchemexpress.com