Vapor induced phase separation towards anion-/near-infrared-responsive pore channels for switchable anti-fouling membranes

As an important branch of smart membranes, stimuli-responsive membranes with switchable separation capability and permeability are highly needed for developing advanced filtration membranes. In this study, smart membranes with anion-/near-infrared (NIR)-responsive and improved anti-fouling properties were fabricated by introducing poly (ionic liquids) (PIL) modified Fe3O4 nanoparticles on the surfaces and pore channels of polyethersulfone membranes through vapor induced phase separation (VIPS) method. Thanks to the anion-/NIR-responsiveness of the nanoparticles, the adjusted surface wettability and the pore size of the membranes were obtained. The fluxes of the membranes were well-controlled along with adjusting the sizes of the nanoparticles via anion-exchange and NIR irradiation. Switchable pore sizes were further proved by the filtration of polyethylene glycol (PEG)-800 and PEG-2000. In addition, the wettability and zeta-potential of the membrane surfaces could be adjusted by exchanging the counteranions of the immobilized PIL nanoparticles, which endowed the membranes with robust anti-fouling abilities toward biological contaminants like bovine serum albumin when exchanging the counteranions from hydrophilic to hydrophobic. After the counteranions exchange desorption, the intelligent membranes were then self-cleaned.Abstract text goes here.