Magnetite Nano-material Coating of a Polymeric Membrane
Author: David Igla
Supervisor: Dr May Lim
Resources and Infrastructure for the Future
Introduction
Aims and Objectives
Coating a hydrophobic membrane with magnetite nano-material to
remotely heat up a membrane through magnetic induction has many
applications:
To modify and coat a hydrophobic polypropylene membrane with magnetite (Fe3O4)
nano-materials in order to:
•  Drug delivery into the human body
1.  Investigate temperature change of the magnetite-coated membrane during
induction heating under different currents.
•  Filter out and kill viruses from the air
2. Determine the microstructures of the magnetite-coated membrane
•  Improving membrane performance
Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
Method
Acrylic Acid Grafting onto Polypropylene Membrane
Polypropylene Membrane grafted with Poly-acrylic acid
O
HO Magnetite Coated Membrane
Membrane soaking in Acrylic acid
Polymerisation of Acrylic acid on membrane under UV lamp
Coating the Membrane with Magnetite Nano-Material
Fe2+
Fe3
SEM images by Dr Rhiannon Kuchel
There are magnetite particles attached to the surface and within the membrane’s pores and structure
Magnetic Induction
Pluronic127
+
Coated Membrane after Magnetic Induction
with a solution of Pluronic-127
Solutions of Fe3+, and Fe2+ were mixed
NH4+
F e 3O4
Ammonium hydroxide was added to precipitate the Magnetite particles
(Fe3O4)
After magnetic induction the magnetite particles on the membrane are cracked
60
Temperature (°C)
55
Magnetite Coated
Membrane 300 A
50
45
Polypropylene Membrane
300 A
40
35
Magnetite Coated
Membrane 400 A
30
25
Polypropylene Membrane
400 A
20
0 Magnetite Particles are pushed through the filter cartridge onto the polyacrylic acid grafted membrane
Characterisation
•  SEM
•  Magnetic Induction
120 240 360 480 600 Time (s)
There is a faster rate of heating and a higher final temperature during magnetic induction with a membrane that
is coated with magnetite nano-material and with increasing current.
Conclusion
•  Magnetite particles are able to attach to a hydrophobic membrane through modification to both the membrane and the
particles
•  A Magnetite coated membrane can be remotely heated up with Magnetic Induction