Synthetic Polypeptides as Materials for Functional Membranes

Abstract

Synthetic polypeptides are considered to be very promising materials for the development of functional membranes. In this article are summarized the characteristics of synthetic polypeptide as the membrane material. The effect of primary and/or secondary structures on the membrane permeability has been studied in detail. Membranes from synthetic polypeptides have been applied to biomedical materials including artificial skin and matrix for drug release. Stimuli-responsive membrane has been prepared from synthetic polypeptide based on its conformational transition. Permeation control was successful with pH, redox reagents and light as stimuli. The chirality of polypeptide is important for the application to asymmetric reactions. The study by the authors concerning vinyl polymer membrane having transmembrane channel from synthetic polypeptide is described. The regulation of solute permeability induced by pH or ions was attained in the membrane prepared from polyvinyl/polypeptide graft copolymer.