Biomimetic hybrid membranes with covalently anchored chitosan – Material design, transport and separation

New hybrid membrane was inspired by biomimicking the water harvesting system in the back of fogstand beetle. Therefore, efficient hydrophobic material with hydrophilic chitosan (CS) islands was produced by the covalent attachment of chitosan to the hydrophobic surface of PVDF membranes. The attachment of CS molecules allows upgrading the membrane permeability and antifouling properties. Employing the “grafting to” approach, CS was anchored to...