Water softening using a light-responsive, spiropyran-modified nanofiltration membrane

A novel technique for the covalent attachment of a light-responsive spiropyran onto polyamide thin film composite nanofiltration (NF) membranes in a one-step reaction using low-energy electron beam technology is described. The effect of illumination of the immobilized spiropyran was studied, as well as the resulting membrane properties with respect to MgSO4 retention, water permeability rate, and chlorine resistance. Electron beam irradiation showed a direct effect on the transformation of the rough PA NF membrane surface into a ridge-and-valley structure. Upon UV light irradiation, the spiropyran transformed into zwitterionic merocyanine, which had shown MgSO4 removal of >95% with water permeation rates of 6.5 L/(m2·h·bar). Alternatively, visible light was used to convert merocyanine to spiropyran, which achieved >95% of MgSO4 retention with a water flux of around 5.25 L/(m2·h·bar). The modified NF membranes showed higher chlorine resistance as well as a higher normalized water flux as compared to the reference membrane, without a loss of ion retention. All the NF membranes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. This study demonstrates a simple and inexpensive method for the immobilization of molecules onto polymeric membranes, which may be applied in water softening

Photodynamic inactivation of SARS-CoV-2 infectivity and antiviral treatment effects in vitro

Despite available vaccines, antibodies and antiviral agents, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic still continues to cause severe disease and death. Current treatment options are limited, and emerging new mutations are a challenge. Thus, novel treatments and measures for prevention of viral infections are urgently required. Photodynamic inactivation (PDI) is a potential treatment for infections by a broad variety of critical pathogens, including viruses. We explored the infectiousness of clinical SARS-CoV-2 isolates in Vero cell cultures after PDI-treatment, using the photosensitizer Tetrahydroporphyrin-tetratosylate (THPTS) and near-infrared light. Replication of viral RNA (qPCR), viral cytopathic effects (microscopy) and mitochondrial activity were assessed. PDI of virus suspension with 1 µM THPTS before infection resulted in a reduction of detectable viral RNA by 3 log levels at day 3 and 6 after infection to similar levels as in previously heat-inactivated virions (<99.9%; p < 0.05). Mitochondrial activity, which was significantly reduced by viral infection, was markedly increased by PDI to levels similar to uninfected cell cultures. When applying THPTS-based PDI after infection, a single treatment had a virus load-reducing effect only at a higher concentration (3 µM) and reduced cell viability in terms of PDI-induced toxicity. Repeated PDI with 0.3 µM THPTS every 4 h for 3 d after infection reduced the viral load by more than 99.9% (p < 0.05), while cell viability was maintained. Our data demonstrate that THPTS-based antiviral PDI might constitute a promising approach for inactivation of SARS-CoV-2. Further testing will demonstrate if THPTS is also suitable to reduce the viral load in vivo

A study on the material properties of novel PEGDA/gelatin hybrid hydrogels polymerized by electron beam irradiation

Gelatin-based hydrogels are highly desirable biomaterials for use in wound dressing, drug delivery, and extracellular matrix components due to their biocompatibility and biodegradability. However, insufficient and uncontrollable mechanical properties and degradation are the major obstacles to their application in medical materials. Herein, we present a simple but efficient strategy for a novel hydrogel by incorporating the synthetic hydrogel monomer polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA, offering high mechanical stability) into a biological hydrogel compound (gelatin) to provide stable mechanical properties and biocompatibility at the resulting hybrid hydrogel. In the present work, PEGDA/gelatin hybrid hydrogels were prepared by electron irradiation as a reagent-free crosslinking technology and without using chemical crosslinkers, which carry the risk of releasing toxic byproducts into the material. The viscoelasticity, swelling behavior, thermal stability, and molecular structure of synthesized hybrid hydrogels of different compound ratios and irradiation doses were investigated. Compared with the pure gelatin hydrogel, 21/9 wt./wt. % PEGDA/gelatin hydrogels at 6 kGy exhibited approximately up to 1078% higher storage modulus than a pure gelatin hydrogel, and furthermore, it turned out that the mechanical stability increased with increasing irradiation dose. The chemical structure of the hybrid hydrogels was analyzed by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and it was confirmed that both compounds, PEGDA and gelatin, were equally present. Scanning electron microscopy images of the samples showed fracture patterns that confirmed the findings of viscoelasticity increasing with gelatin concentration. Infrared microspectroscopy images showed that gelatin and PEGDA polymer fractions were homogeneously mixed and a uniform hybrid material was obtained after electron beam synthesis. In short, this study demonstrates that both the presence of PEGDA improved the material properties of PEGDA/gelatin hybrid hydrogels and the resulting properties are fine-tuned by varying the irradiation dose and PEGDA/gelatin concentration

Charge Separating Microfiltration Membrane with pH-Dependent Selectivity

Membrane filters are designed for selective separation of components from a mixture. While separation by size might be the most common approach, other characteristics like charge can also be used for separation as presented in this study. Here, a polyether sulfone membrane was modified to create a zwitterionic surface. Depending on the pH value of the surrounding solution the membrane surface will be either negatively or positively charged. Thus, the charged state can be easily adjusted even by small changes of the pH value of the solution. Charged polystyrene beads were used as model reagent to investigate the pH dependent selectivity of the membrane. It was found that electrostatic forces are dominating the interactions between polystyrene beads and membrane surface during the filtration. This enables a complete control of the membrane&#8217;s selectivity according to the electrostatic interactions. Furthermore, differently charged beads marked with fluorescent dyes were used to investigate the selectivity of mixtures of charged components. These different components were successfully separated according to their charged state proving the selectivity of the invented membrane

Water Softening Using a Light-Responsive, Spiropyran-Modified Nanofiltration Membrane

A novel technique for the covalent attachment of a light-responsive spiropyran onto polyamide thin film composite nanofiltration (NF) membranes in a one-step reaction using low-energy electron beam technology is described. The effect of illumination of the immobilized spiropyran was studied, as well as the resulting membrane properties with respect to MgSO4 retention, water permeability rate, and chlorine resistance. Electron beam irradiation showed a direct effect on the transformation of the rough PA NF membrane surface into a ridge-and-valley structure. Upon UV light irradiation, the spiropyran transformed into zwitterionic merocyanine, which had shown MgSO4 removal of &gt;95% with water permeation rates of 6.5 L/(m2&#183;h&#183;bar). Alternatively, visible light was used to convert merocyanine to spiropyran, which achieved &gt;95% of MgSO4 retention with a water flux of around 5.25 L/(m2&#183;h&#183;bar). The modified NF membranes showed higher chlorine resistance as well as a higher normalized water flux as compared to the reference membrane, without a loss of ion retention. All the NF membranes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. This study demonstrates a simple and inexpensive method for the immobilization of molecules onto polymeric membranes, which may be applied in water softening