Polymer deposition and modification of membranes for fouling resistance
AssigneeBoard of Regents, The University of Texas System
InventorsBenny D. Freeman, Ho Bum Park, Bryan D. McCloskey, Daniel J. Miller
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Abstract
The present invention describes methods and compositions for the reduction, prevention and elimination of biofilm formation on a surface. The present invention provides a method of depositing a coating material to reduce or prevent biofilm formation on a surface by adding a dopamine coating material to a liquid solvent to form a solution mixture, adjusting a pH of the solution mixture to 8, 9, or 10 and dissolving the dopamine coating material in the liquid solvent. The solution mixture is then placed into contact with one or more surfaces to form a dopamine coating on the surface to reduce biofilm formation.
Claims21
A method of depositing a coating material to reduce or prevent biofilm formation on a surface comprising the steps of:
- adding a dopamine coating material to a liquid solvent to form a solution mixture;
- adjusting a pH of the solution mixture to 8, 9, or 10;
- dissolving the dopamine coating material in the liquid solvent;
- and
- contacting the solution mixture with one or more surfaces to form a dopamine coating on the surface to reduce biofilm formation.
A method of decreasing biofilm formation on a membrane comprising the steps of:
- depositing a dopamine composition on a membrane to form a polydopamine coated membrane, wherein the polydopamine coated membrane has a higher water flux, an increased membrane surface hydrophilicity and a reduced biofilm formation than an unmodified membrane.
A liquid separation apparatus having reduced biofilm formation comprising:
- a purification membrane;
- a polydopamine layer deposited on the purification membrane to form a polydopamine coated membrane to reduce the formation of a biofilm, wherein the polydopamine layer increases the hydrophilicity of the purification membrane and the polydopamine coated membrane has a high water flux;
- and
- one or more containers positioned on different sides of the polydopamine coated membrane to contain the separated liquid.
A polydopamine coated purification membrane system for modification of conventional purification membranes to reduce biofilm formation comprising:
- a dopamine solution to reduce biofilm formation disposed in a feed tank;
- a pump connected to the feed tank to move the dopamine solution to provide a high transmembrane pressure;
- a membrane inlet connection to connected to the pump to a membrane to allows the dopamine solution to be deposited on the membrane;
- and
- a membrane outlet connection to connect the membrane to the feed tank to return the dopamine solution to the feed tank.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.