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Thin Isoporous Block Copolymer Membranes: It Is All about the Process.
Janina Hahn1, Juliana I Clodt1, Clarissa Abetz1
1Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht, Institute of Polymer Research , Max-Planck-Strasse 1, 21502 Geesthacht, Germany.
ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces
|September 10, 2015
Summary
This study introduces a faster, scalable method for creating thin, isoporous membranes using block copolymers and spray coating. This technique reduces material use and significantly increases water flux compared to traditional methods.
Area of Science:
- Materials Science
- Polymer Chemistry
- Membrane Technology
Background:
- Amphiphilic block copolymers self-assembly combined with nonsolvent induced phase inversion is effective for creating isoporous integral-asymmetric membranes.
- Conventional methods for membrane formation can be material-intensive and costly.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop fast, scalable, and material-reducing methods for thin self-assembled membranes.
- To implement spray or dip coating into the membrane formation process for various diblock copolymers.
- To minimize production costs compared to conventional blade casting.
Main Methods:
- Incorporation of spray or dip coating into the membrane formation process for diblock copolymers like polystyrene-block-poly(4-vinylpyridine).
- Utilizing a highly diluted one-solvent system to achieve hexagonal pore structures.
- Testing the process on diverse flat and hollow fiber support materials.
Main Results:
- Achieved hexagonal pore structures with reduced diblock copolymer consumption, lowering production costs.
- Demonstrated broad applicability across different support materials.
- Membranes exhibited a >6-fold increase in water flux compared to blade-cast membranes.
- Membranes showed stability at 2 bar transmembrane pressure and pH-responsive flux behavior.
Conclusions:
- The spray/dip coating method offers an efficient, cost-effective, and scalable route to high-performance isoporous membranes.
- The developed membranes possess enhanced water flux and tunable properties, suitable for various applications.
- This approach significantly improves upon conventional membrane fabrication techniques.
