An Optically Reversible Switching Membrane Surface

Abstract

Lighting the way: Through the combination of a UV‐grafting process with the photoresponsive properties of spiropyran molecules, an optically reversible switching membrane surface was developed. This process can be used in preference to inducing physical movement of long‐chain SAMs toward an electrode and as a result improve many industrial opportunities including those dependent on surface wettability and molecular adhesion.

Stimuli responsive and low fouling ultrafiltration membranes from blends of polyvinylidene fluoride and designed library of amphiphilic poly(methyl methacrylate) containing copolymers

“…Temperature responsive polyethylene-based membranes were prepared by a plasma-graft pore-filling polymerization method [22]. The photoactive membranes were prepared by grafting polymer of spiropyran onto the PES ultrafiltration membranes by photoinduced polymerization of spiropyran containing vinyl monomer [23]. Photoactive PES membranes were also prepared by blending PES with azobenzene and β-cyclodextrin modified PES followed by phase inversion.…”

Highly hydrophilic and low-protein-fouling polypropylene membrane prepared by surface modification with sulfobetaine-based zwitterionic polymer through a combined surface polymerization method

“…[1,2]. Protein adsorption has been recognized as the initial step of membrane fouling in numerous practical applications.…”

Smart Membrane Surfaces: Wettability Amplification and Self‐Healing

“…Th e reversible change in the wettability was caused by a transition from non-polar spiropyran molecules to the polar merocyanine isomers [27]. Another example of photo-switchable system is that of a vinyl spiropyran ((1'-(2-propylcarbamylmetha-crylamide)ethyl)-3' ,3'-dimethyl-6-nitrospiro[2H-1]benzopyran-2,2'-indoline) UV-graft ed on poly(ether sulphone) (PES) membranes, which allowed an optical control of wetting and protein adsorption under light irradiation [28]. Considering that the nonpolar closed form (spiropyran) is colorless, while the polar open form (merocyanine) is colored, the isomerization event can be easily investigated.…”