Modificationof Supramolecular Membranes with 3D HydrophilicSlide-Rings for the Improvement of Antifouling Properties and EffectiveSeparation

A three-dimensional (3D) strategy for the fabrication of ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVAL) membranes with a dynamic surface was developed based on sliding supramolecular polymer brushes (SSPB). The SSPB with a 3D hydrophilic structure were introduced into the alkyne-EVAL membrane matrix via an azide-alkyne click coupling reaction. The self-mobile hydrophilic slide-rings in the SSPB provided a proactive exclusion system. This resulted in reduced direct contact of the membrane surface with multiple pollutants such as bovine serum albumin (BSA) and oil droplets. The EVAL-SSPB membrane demonstrated increased surface hydrophilicity, underwater oleophobicity, and antifouling properties. More importantly, the abundant hydrophilic rings in the membrane matrix result in supramolecular assembly and efficient hydrophilic sliding channels. This resulted in a dramatic increase in the water flux (2000 L/m2h), while retaining a 96% rejection of BSA and oil/water emulsions. The results of the study indicate that three effect...