Porous polymer membranes via selectively wetted surfaces

Here, we show that porous polymeric membranes can be prepared using the principles of offset printing: an offset printing plate is structured into hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions with the help of photolithography and is selectively wetted with a solution of calcium chloride in water at the hydrophilic regions. Then, a polymer solution (poly(methyl methacrylate) in chloroform) is applied to this surface and forms a hydrophobic layer that is structured by the aqueous droplets. Deviating from standard offset printing, this layer is not transferred to another surface in its liquid state but is solidified and subsequently is separated from the printing plate. The thickness of the polymer film is chosen in such a way that the aqueous droplets on the surface protrude from the film. Thus, we obtain polymer membranes with pores in the size of the protruding aqueous droplets. These membranes are then characterized by the filtration of model dispersions.