Abstract: The invention provides polymer-grafted and functionalized nonwoven membranes adapted for use in bioseparation processes, the membranes including a nonwoven web of polyester fibers having an average fiber diameter of less than about 1.5 microns, each of the plurality of polyester fibers having grafted thereon a plurality of polymer segments constructed of a methacrylate polymer, each polymer segment carrying a functional group adapted for binding to a target molecule. The invention also provides a method of bioseparation comprising passing a solution comprising the target molecule, such as a protein, through the nonwoven membrane of the invention such that at least a portion of the target molecule in the solution binds to the nonwoven membrane. A method for preparing a polymer-grafted and functionalized nonwoven membrane adapted for use in bioseparation processes is also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides methods for preparing a polymer-grafted and functionalized nonwoven membrane adapted for use in separation processes. The invention further provides so-formed membranes as well as improved separation methods utilizing the membranes. The polymer-grafted and functionalized nonwoven membranes are particularly formed utilizing thermal grafting. In particular, an acrylate or methacrylate polymer can be grafted onto a nonwoven web comprising a plurality of polymeric fibers to form a plurality of polymer segments covalently attached to the polymeric fibers. Thermal grafting particularly can comprise using a thermal initiator and exposing the nonwoven web to heat to initiate polymerization of the acrylate or methacrylate monomer. The grafted polymeric fibers can be functionalized to attach at least one functional group adapted for binding to a target molecule to the polymer segments of the grafted polymeric fibers.

Abstract: The invention provides polymer-grafted and functionalized nonwoven membranes adapted for use in bioseparation processes, the membranes including a nonwoven web of polyester fibers having an average fiber diameter of less than about 1.5 microns, each of the plurality of polyester fibers having grafted thereon a plurality of polymer segments constructed of a methacrylate polymer, each polymer segment carrying a functional group adapted for binding to a target molecule. The invention also provides a method of bioseparation comprising passing a solution comprising the target molecule, such as a protein, through the nonwoven membrane of the invention such that at least a portion of the target molecule in the solution binds to the nonwoven membrane. A method for preparing a polymer-grafted and functionalized nonwoven membrane adapted for use in bioseparation processes is also provided.