(543b) N-Isopropylacrylamide (NIPAAM) Modified Cellulose Acetate Membranes

Development of a fouling-resistant membrane by attaching a stimuli-responsive polymer film on the surface creates a dynamic surface that will reduce the accumulation of feedwater contaminants. The phase change of the polymer arises from the existence of a lower critical solution temperature (LCST) such that the polymer precipitates from solution as the temperature is increased. This capability can be exploited to control adsorption/desorption. N-Isopropylacrylamide has an LCST in a usable temperature range and current research involves NIPAAM polymerization on the membrane surface using cerium ammonium nitrate as the initiator. Wetcell Atomic Force Microscopy allows us to image the surface and do roughness analysis while under different temperatures in an aqueous environment. This means we can detect how rough the surface is at the low temperatures, where the film should be extended; and at high temperatures, where the film should be collapsed. FTIR was used to find surface chemistries and flux measurements showed whether the polymer surface had an effect on fouling.