(499f) Effect of Monomer and Cross-Linker Concentration on pH Responsive Functionalized Membranes

Polymers and polymer dispersions with different functional groups finds its application as templates for ion exchange, layer-by-layer deposition, and incorporation of different metal nanoparticles. In particular, cross-linked hydrophilic polymers are studied in different functionalization processes especially in preparation of responsive membranes. Membrane functionalization such as surface modification with functional groups; provides us an opportunity to incorporate catalytic nanoparticles in the membrane pores for in situ surface reaction. Functionalized membranes incorporated with Fe/Pd nanoparticles provide a novel platform for organic pollutant degradation reactions and for selective removal of contaminants.

However, to incorporate nanoparticles in membrane pores, monomer and cross-linker concentration plays a significant role during polymerization process. A change in monomer and cross-linker concentration could have effect the whole functionalization of membranes. So far there is no study regarding the effect of changing of monomer and cross-linker concentration on functionalized membranes.

For this study we have changed the monomer concentration from 10 to 20 wt% of polymer solution and cross-linker concentration from 0.5 to 1 mol% of monomer concentration during preparation of different batches of functionalized pH responsive membranes, keeping all other parameters constant. This give us a matrix of monomer and cross-linker concentration to do functionalization of membranes. The synthesized nanoparticles incorporated membranes were characterized by electronic microscopy, X-ray spectrometry and image analysis before-, after- nano particle loading.

Finally, we report the optimum concentration of monomer, cross-linker concentration along with Fe/Pd nano particle loading for making pH responsive membrane. These membranes have both responsive behavior and catalytic properties to degrade toxic organics (such as, TCE, PCBs) from water. We like to thank NIH-NIEHS-SRC for funding this research project.