Phosphorylcholine-substituted ROMP polyolefin coatings provide fouling resistance to membrane materials

The design and synthesis of new fouling-resistant coating materials, specifically PC-substituted polyolefins, and their application to water purification membranes is described. Greatly improved fouling resistance is found for coated membranes subjected to environmentally relevant emulsified oil foulants. The coating method proves effective for reducing fouling on both UF and RO membranes, and for maintaining high rejection of organic material and salt. Providing membranes of various types with a coating that simultaneously gives high flux, fouling resistance, and foulant rejection represents a significant advance in membrane materials, and a promising route to extend membrane applications beyond what has been possible using conventional, known materials.