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Tuning the Upper Critical Solution Temperature of the Polystyrene-Terpineol System toward a Low-Temperature Membrane
Sulaiman Dhameri1, Ibrahim A Imam1, Usman Abbas1
1Chemical and Materials Engineering Department, Pigman College of Engineering, University of Kentucky, Lexington, Kentucky 40506, United States.
ACS Omega
|September 2, 2025
Summary
Adding small molecules to polymer-solvent blends allows tuning of the upper critical solution temperature (UCST) for creating porous materials. This method offers control over processing temperature and porous structure properties for applications like filtration.
Area of Science:
- Polymer science
- Materials science
- Physical chemistry
Background:
- The upper critical solution temperature (UCST) in polymer-solvent blends is crucial for forming porous structures used in filtration and other applications.
- Tuning the UCST is essential for controlling the processing temperature and properties of these porous materials.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the tunability of UCST in a polystyrene-terpineol system using small molecule additives.
- To understand how additives influence phase separation temperature and the resulting porous structure characteristics.
Main Methods:
- Investigated the effect of adding γ-valerolactone, oleic acid, and limonene to polystyrene-terpineol blends.
- Analyzed the impact of additives on UCST, pore size, porosity, water flux, and molecular rejection.
- Correlated additive properties (hydrogen bonding, miscibility) with observed changes in UCST and porous structures.
Main Results:
- Small molecule additives significantly altered the UCST, with changes exceeding 35 °C based on concentration.
- Additive miscibility and hydrogen bonding propensity were key factors influencing UCST.
- Surface pore diameter was significantly modified by additives, while bulk pore diameter remained largely consistent, except for oleic acid.
Conclusions:
- Small molecule additives provide a viable method to control UCST in polymer-solvent blends.
- Tuning additive solubility and hydrogen bonding capabilities allows for precise control over porous film synthesis.
- This approach offers potential for lower-energy consumption in the production of porous materials.
