Journal article
Aquaporin-Based Biomimetic Polymeric Membranes: Approaches and Challenges
Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark1
Urban Water Engineering, Department of Environmental Engineering, Technical University of Denmark2
University of Copenhagen3
Aquaporin A/S4
Department of Micro- and Nanotechnology, Technical University of Denmark5
Amphiphilic Polymers in Biological Sensing, Department of Micro- and Nanotechnology, Technical University of Denmark6
In recent years, aquaporin biomimetic membranes (ABMs) for water separation have gained considerable interest. Although the first ABMs are commercially available, there are still many challenges associated with further ABM development. Here, we discuss the interplay of the main components of ABMs: aquaporin proteins (AQPs), block copolymers for AQP reconstitution, and polymer-based supporting structures.
First, we briefly cover challenges and review recent developments in understanding the interplay between AQP and block copolymers. Second, we review some experimental characterization methods for investigating AQP incorporation including freeze-fracture transmission electron microscopy, fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, stopped-flow light scattering, and small-angle X-ray scattering.
Third, we focus on recent efforts in embedding reconstituted AQPs in membrane designs that are based on conventional thin film interfacial polymerization techniques. Finally, we describe some new developments in interfacial polymerization using polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane cages for increasing the physical and chemical durability of thin film composite membranes.
Language: | English |
---|---|
Publisher: | MDPI |
Year: | 2015 |
Pages: | 307-351 |
ISSN: | 20770375 |
Types: | Journal article |
DOI: | 10.3390/membranes5030307 |
ORCIDs: | 0000-0001-6508-8398 , 0000-0002-0625-0620 , 0000-0001-6796-3598 , Almdal, Kristoffer and Hélix-Nielsen, Claus |
aquaporins biomimetic membranes block copolymers membrane proteins microfluidics polyamide layer polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes protein-polymer-interactions proteopolymersomes