Methods for coupling a ligand to a composite material

A method for coupling a ligand to a functionalized composite material, comprising the steps of:

• a. providing a functionalized composite material, wherein the functionalized composite material is arranged in a coplanar stack of coextensive sheets, a tubular configuration, or a spiral wound configuration, comprising:
• i. a support member, comprising a plurality of pores extending through the support member;
• and
• ii. a macroporous cross-linked gel, wherein the macroporous cross-linked gel comprises a polymer formed from a reaction of one or more polymerizable monomers with one or more cross-linkers;
• the macroporous cross-linked gel comprises a plurality of pendant reactive functional groups;
• the macroporous cross-linked gel is located in the pores of the support member;
• and said macropores of the macroporous cross-linked gel are smaller than the pores of the support member;
• and
• b. flowing at a first flow rate a first solution substantially through or substantially across the functionalized composite material, wherein the first solution comprises a plurality of first ligands, such that a plurality of covalent bonds forms between the reactive functional groups and the first ligands.