BICONTINUOUS MICROEMULSION POLYMERIZED COATING FOR WATER TREATMENT

The present invention concerns a highly hydrophilic and antimicrobial flat membrane and a method thereof. The highly hydrophilic antimicrobial flat membrane comprises a polymeric membrane, and a polymerized coating obtained thereof by polymerization of a cast layer of a polymerisable bicontinuous microemulsion, the polymerisable bicontinuous microemulsion comprises an oil phase monomer, a surfactant, a cosurfactant, water, a cross- linker and an initiator. The surfactant is one or more surfactants of general formula (I) wherein: L is a carbon chain linker; R is an alkyl group; X is Cl, Br, or I or a mixture of halogens. The polymeric membrane may be selected from the group of polymeric membrane polyamide (PA), poylethersulphone (PES), polyvinylchloride (PVC), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polysulphone (PS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyvinyldene fluoride; preferably the polymeric membrane is poylethersulphone (PES). The oil phase monomer of the polymerized coating of a polymerisable bicontinuous microemulsion may be selected from the group of organic monomers able to undergo radical polymerization; preferably styrene, acrylonitrile, or acrylates; more preferably the monomer is methyl methacrylate (MMA).