Porcupine quills-like-structures containing smart PVDF/chitosan hybrids for anti-fouling membrane applications and removal of hazardous VOCs

•Biomimicry of desert beetle armor and porcupine quills to design surface architecture.•Partially hydrophobized chitosan improved transport and membrane robustness.•Pristine-hydrophilic chitosan covalently anchored to membrane mitigated fouling.•Fluorine-free modifiers and re-entrant structure produced highly hydrophobic surface.