Synthesis and antibacterial activity of copper-immobilized membrane comprising grafted poly(4-vinylpyridine) chains

Poly(4-vinylpyridine) (P4VP) brushes were grafted onto microporous polysulfone (PSF) membranes via surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP) and then immobilized copper (II) ions on the modified membrane. Copper-loaded membranes exhibited excellent antibacterial properties with the added advantage of repeated use. The chemical composition and surface morphology of the functionalized membrane was characterized by ATR-FTIR, XPS, SEM, and AFM. The results showed that P4VP brushes clustered to rod-shaped covering and the sub-layer of membrane maintained sponge-like structures at the same time. Additionally, the kinetic study of SI-ATRP reaction revealed that the chain length of P4VP brushes increased linearly as the polymerization time increased. The antibacterial effects of copper-loaded CMPSF-g-P4VP membrane against Escherichiacoli were examined and the antibacterial efficiency reached 100% when 2.49 wt.% of copper (II) ions was immobilized on membrane. The presented results could serve as a good starting point for the fabrication of antibacterial CMPSF membranes for waste-water treatment applications.

Graphical abstractThe modification of chloromethylated polysulfone (CMPSF) membranes with poly(4-vinylpyridine) (P4VP) polymer brush was achieved by surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP). .Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload high-quality image (35 K)Download as PowerPoint slideResearch highlights► Preparation of chloromethylated polysulfone membrane. ► Surface-initiated atom transfer radical polymerization of poly(4-vinylpyridine). ► Immobilized copper (II) ions on modified membranes. ► Copper-loaded membrane leads to improve the antibacterial property.