title: Smart zwitterionic membranes with on/off behavior for protein transport.
abstract: Poly(acrylonitrile) (PAN)-based zwitterionic membranes, composed of PAN and poly( N, N-dimethyl- N-methacryloxyethyl- N-(3-sulfopropyl) copolymer, are electrolyte-sensitive smart membranes. The hydrophilicity was increased and protein adsorption was remarkably decreased for the membranes in response to environmental stimuli. FTIR spectroscopic analysis directly provided molecular-level observation of the enhanced dissociation and hydration of zwitterionic sulfobetaine dipoles at higher electrolyte concentrations. The smart PAN-based zwitterionic membranes can close or open channels for protein transport under different NaCl concentrations. The electrolyte-sensitive switch of on/off behavior for protein transport is reversible.
authors.affiliation: Key Laboratory for Green Technology of Ministry of Education, School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China. suyanlei@tju.edu.cn
authors.forename: Yanlei
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Su
authors.forename: Lili
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.forename: Chao
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Zhongyi
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Jiang