Ultra‐Thin Self‐Assembled Protein‐Polymer Membranes: A New Pore Forming Strategy |
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| Authors: | Patrick van Rijn Murat Tutus Christine Kathrein Nathalie C Mougin Hyunji Park Christopher Hein Marco P Schürings Alexander Böker |
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| Affiliation: | 1. DWI‐Leibniz‐Institute for Interactive Materials, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany;2. Lehrstuhl für Makromolekulare Materialien und Oberfl?chen, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany;3. University of Groningen, University Medical Center Groningen, Department of Biomedical Engineering‐FB40, W. J. Kolff Institute for Biomedical Engineering and Materials Science, AV, Groningen, The Netherlands;4. Aachener Verfahrenstechnik, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, Germany |
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| Abstract: | Self‐assembled membranes offer a promising alternative for conventional membrane fabrication, especially in the field of ultrafiltration. Here, a new pore‐making strategy is introduced involving stimuli responsive protein‐polymer conjugates self‐assembled across a large surface area using drying‐mediated interfacial self‐assembly. The membrane is flexible and assembled on porous supports. The protein used is the cage protein ferritin and resides within the polymer matrix. Upon denaturation of ferritin, a pore is formed which intrinsically is determined by the size of the protein and how it resides in the matrix. Due to the self‐assembly at interfaces, the membrane constitutes of only one layer resulting in a membrane thickness of 7 nm on average in the dry state. The membrane is stable up to at least 50 mbar transmembrane pressure, operating at a flux of about 21 000–25 000 L m?2 h?1 bar?1 and displayed a preferred size selectivity of particles below 20 nm. This approach diversifies membrane technology generating a platform for “smart” self‐assembled membranes. |
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| Keywords: | protein‐polymer conjugates self‐assembled membranes interfaces bioconjugation separation |
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