(3-glycidoxypropyl) Trimethoxy silane induced switchable zwitterionic membrane with high protein capture and separation properties

Zwitterionic (ZI) membranes are well known for their super-low fouling behaviour during protein separation with high resolution. Zwitterionic ultrafilter membrane (ZI-UFM) with controllable acidic-alkaline charge density and pore-size was prepared by the sol–gel followed by formal cross-linking. Synthesis of ZI silica precursor (SP) has been reported by epoxide ring-opening reaction by (3-glycidoxy propyl) trimethoxysilane and 1, 4 butane sultone. ZI-UFM showed 70 kD molecular cut-off and 1.3×10−5 l m−2 h−1 bar−1 water permeability. Furthermore, with high dynamic i.e. practical protein capture capacity, acidic-alkaline charged and dimensional stable nature, ZI-UFM was suitable for proteins separation with high through-put. High separation factor (SF) values for BSA and LYS at pH: 6.1, confirmed rapid and highly selective protein electro-separation using ZI-UFM. Because of ZI nature of membranes showed antifouling properties for proteins, and switchable behaviour at varied pH due to presence of acidic and basic functional groups.