Self-cleaning hollow fiber membranes
with enzymatically active microgels
The occurrence of fouling in membrane processes causes irreversible performance degradation. Conventional methods to reduce fouling rely on regular cleaning cycles, resulting in longer process dead times, or hydrophilization of the membrane material with soluble additives in the membrane material, with an observed increase in fouling potential over time. In the planned research project, the aim is to build on previous successes by extending the intrinsic antifouling properties of the microgels with a self-cleaning functionality. Here, the microgels will be equipped with enzymes (e.g. proteases) capable of degrading fouling. Thus, membranes can be equipped with the ability of active self-cleaning.