Photo-cross-linkable star-shaped polymers with poly(ethylene glycol) and renewable cardanol side groups: synthesis, characterization, and application to antifouling coatings for filtration membranes

Star-shaped polymers (SPCs) containing poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and renewable cardanol side groups were synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). Water-soluble SPCs were turned into water-insoluble materials by self-cross-linking reaction of the unsaturated hydrocarbon chains of cardanol moieties upon UV irradiation. The SPC-coated membranes with UV curing exhibited noticeably higher bio- and oil-fouling resistance than the bare polysulfone (PSf) membrane during filtration experiments, whereas the SPC-coated membranes without UV curing showed a large flux-decline caused by fouling compared to that of the bare membrane, because SPCs were washed out during filtration. The enhanced antifouling properties of the SPC-coated membranes with UV curing were ascribed to a large quantity of PEG moieties on the surfaces stabilized by the cross-linked polymeric structure, leading to decreased interactions with proteins and oils.