Membrane Surface Modification and Functionalization

Surface functionalization of membranes is one of the efficient techniques that can bestow these membranes with novel properties and transform them into valuable finished products. It has been widely applied to polymeric membranes in many fields and has progressed rapidly in recent years. The modified membranes have been widely used in various applications, such as in separation processes for liquid and gaseous mixtures (gas separation, reverse osmosis, pervaporation, nanofiltration, ultrafiltration, microfiltration), biomaterials, catalysis (including fuel cell systems), and “smart” membranes. In this chapter, various approaches to the surface modification and functionalization of polymeric membranes are highlighted and reviewed. Also, the applications of the modified membranes will be discussed from the aspect of environmental stimuli-responsive gating membranes, antifouling membranes, adsorption membranes, pervaporation and reverse osmosis membranes, membranes for energy conversion, gas separation membranes, and biomedical membranes. A detailed overview of the usage of polyzwitterions and oxidative stability of surface modifiers to alter membrane surface charge will be outlined. Finally, recent advances and developments in surface modification techniques such as layer-by-layer assembly and chemical vapor deposition will be discussed