Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide)-grafted Thermosensitive Anodized Aluminum Oxide Membrane

Thermosensitive membrane is prepared by surface-initiated atom-transfer radical polymerization of N-isopropylacrylamide (NIPAM) from initiator-attached anodized aluminum oxide (AAO) membrane to formulate smart membrane which can control mass transport through membrane by temperature control. PNIPAM-grafted AAO membrane with partially open pores shows accelerated water transport on heating above lower critical solution temperature (LCST). Pore widening effect might suppress increased hydrophobicity of PNIPAM brush on the pores of AAO membrane above LCST.