Research Projects

Affinity chromatography is a crucial tool for purifying biomolecules due to its ability to separate based on specific supramolecular interactions. Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) membrane materials offer advantages such as improved mass transfer efficiency, efficient ligand utilization, scalability, and cost effectiveness. However, strong C-F bonds and hydrophobicity can make chemical functionalization difficult and trigger biofouling. Covalent attachment of hydrophilic polymers on PVDF chains could be a better approach than coating or composite formation. The initiation mechanism from the PVDF surface has not been well established due to high C-F bond enthalpy. Recently, a controlled grafting of functional polymethacrylates from PVDF backbone using (C-F) bond activation was achieved, revealing the mechanism of initiation via halide exchange technique. This research opens up an avenue for revisiting and exploring the mechanism of initiation from the PVDF surface using different Cu-based complexes. The proposed method involves synthesis of membranes (PVDF-g-POEGMA-r-PGMA-IDA-Cu(II), PVDF-g-PDEGMEM-r-PGMA-IDA-Cu(II), and PVDF-g-PBMA-r-PDEGMEM-r-PGMA-IDA-Cu(II)) using a three-step methodology.