Preparation of affinity membranes using polymer phase separation and azido-containing surfactants

We propose a novel approach to prepare affinity membranes using azido-containing surfactants and click chemistry. Porous polymeric membranes were prepared using cellulose acetate via polymer phase separation in the presence of azido-containing surfactants. Thermally induced phase separation and nonsolvent-induced phase separation were used for membrane preparation. The azido groups displayed on the membrane surfaces were conjugated with nitrilotriacetic acid via Huisgen 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition to prepare membranes that displayed affinity toward a hexahistidine-tagged protein. Two types of phase separation successfully produced porous membranes with different microstructures but showed similar separation performances. In place of nitrilotriacetic acid, D-Ala-D-Ala was conjugated to the surface of the azido-functionalized membrane. The membranes functionalized with D-Ala-D-Ala showed high affinity toward vancomycin. The present approach leads to facile surface functionalization of polymeric materials and produces affinity membranes displaying various types of ligands on their surfaces.

Automated summary

This novel approach involves preparing affinity membranes using azido-containing surfactants and click chemistry, resulting in membranes that display affinity towards specific proteins. The method allows for facile surface functionalization of polymeric materials to produce affinity membranes with different ligands on their surfaces.