Aquaporin-Based Biomimetic Polymeric Membranes: Approaches and Challenges.
In recent years, aquaporin biomimetic membranes (ABMs) for water separation have gained considerable interest. Although the first ABMs are commercially available, there are still many challenges associated with further ABM development. Here, we discuss the interplay of the main components of ABMs: aquaporin proteins (AQPs), block copolymers for AQP reconstitution, and polymer-based supporting structures. First, we briefly cover challenges and review recent developments in understanding the interplay between AQP and block copolymers. Second, we review some experimental characterization methods for investigating AQP incorporation including freeze-fracture transmission electron microscopy, fluorescence correlation spectroscopy, stopped-flow light scattering, and small-angle X-ray scattering. Third, we focus on recent efforts in embedding reconstituted AQPs in membrane designs that are based on conventional thin film interfacial polymerization techniques. Finally, we describe some new developments in interfacial polymerization using polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane cages for increasing the physical and chemical durability of thin film composite membranes.
Technical University of Denmark, Department of Environmental Engineering, Miljøvej, Building 113, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark. joachim.habel@gmx.de.|Aquaporin A/S, Ole Maaløes Vej 3, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark. joachim.habel@gmx.de.
Joachim
J
Habel
University of Copenhagen, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871 Frederiksberg, Denmark. mh@plen.ku.dk.
Michael
M
Hansen
University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen Biocenter, Ole Maaløes Vej 5, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark. kynde@nbi.ku.dk.
Søren
S
Kynde
University of Copenhagen, Niels Bohr Institute, Hans Christian Ørsted building D, Universitetsparken, 5, 2100 Copenhagen, Denmark. nanna.skaarup@gmail.com.
Nanna
N
Larsen
University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen Biocenter, Ole Maaløes Vej 5, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark. soromi@nbi.ku.dk.
Søren Roi
SR
Midtgaard
University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen Biocenter, Ole Maaløes Vej 5, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark. gvjensen@nbi.ku.dk.
Grethe Vestergaard
GV
Jensen
Aquaporin A/S, Ole Maaløes Vej 3, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark. jbo@aquaporin.dk.
Julie
J
Bomholt
Aquaporin A/S, Ole Maaløes Vej 3, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark. annyogbonna@yahoo.com.
Anayo
A
Ogbonna
Technical University of Denmark, Department of Micro- and Nanotechnology, Produktionstorvet, Building 423, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby. kral@nanotech.dtu.dk.
Kristoffer
K
Almdal
University of Copenhagen, Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Thorvaldsensvej 40, 1871 Frederiksberg, Denmark. als@plen.ku.dk.
Alexander
A
Schulz
Technical University of Denmark, Department of Environmental Engineering, Miljøvej, Building 113, 2800 Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark. clhe@env.dtu.dk.|Aquaporin A/S, Ole Maaløes Vej 3, 2200 Copenhagen, Denmark. clhe@env.dtu.dk.|University of Maribor, Laboratory for Water Biophysics and Membrane Processes, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Smetanova ulica 17, 2000 Maribor, Slovenia. clhe@env.dtu.dk.
Claus
C
Hélix-Nielsen
aquaporins; biomimetic membranes; block copolymers; membrane proteins; microfluidics; polyamide layer; polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes; protein-polymer-interactions; proteopolymersomes