| dc.description.abstract | The integration of biological building-blocks with synthetic nanomaterials may permit
unprecedented ability to detect, disinfect and completely remove pathogens in water.
We hereby described the synthesis of biodegradable, interpenetrating polymeric
networks of poly (amic) acid (PAA), glutaraldehyde-derivatized PAA (PAA-GA) and
chitosan-modified poly (amic) acid (PAA-CS) using phase-inversion procedures. The
characterization data from NMR, FT-IR, SEM and cyclic voltammetry confirmed the
successful formation of electroactive, bifunctional, glutaraldehyde-linked PAA
membranes. Toxicological, electrochemical and mechanical characterization data
showed the successful formation of non-toxic, biodegradable, porous, free-standing and
mechanically strong membranes. PAA-GA showed the highest modulus of 568.1 Mpa
followed by PAA-CS-GA (495.0 Mpa). The optimized membranes were tested against
three of the most common drinking water contaminants, namely Escherichia coli,
Citrobacter freundii and Staphylococcus epidermidis with 100% removal achieved using
dead end filtration and tangential flow filtration. | |
