Functionalization of polymeric membranes by impregnation and in situ cross-linking of a PDMS/beta-cyclodextrin network

In this paper a new method for the functionalization of porous membranes with beta-CD is reported. Porous polypropylene (PP) hollow fibres have been impregnated with a mixture composed by a partially cross-linked polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD). The prepolymerization of the PDMS components was necessary to avoid their inclusion in the beta-CD cavity. The firm heterogenization of the beta-CD was obtained by in situ cross-linking of the PDMS/beta-CD network in the porous membranes. The presence of the PDMS/beta-CD network in the membranes was confirmed by FT-IR-ATR (on the outer and inner surfaces) and EDX analyses (on the cross-section).The effect of the impregnation times on membrane morphology, loading and porosity has been investigated. The binding capacity of the heterogenized beta-CDs has been tested using the phenolphthalein as guest molecule.