Journal
ACS APPLIED POLYMER MATERIALS
Volume 2, Issue 2, Pages 659-667Publisher
AMER CHEMICAL SOC
DOI: 10.1021/acsapm.9b01006
Keywords
aqueous phase separation; polyelectrolytes; membranes; stimuli-responsive; nanofiltration; non-solvent-induced phase separation
Funding
- Vemieuwingsimpuls programme through project VIDI [723.015.003]
- Netherlands Organisation for Scientific Research, NWO
- European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme [ERC StG 714744 SAMBA]
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Polymeric membranes are used on huge scales for kidney dialysis, wastewater treatment, and drinking water production. However, almost all polymeric membranes are fabricated by a process reliant on the use of unsustainable, expensive, and reprotoxic dipolar aprotic solvents. In this work, we propose an aqueous phase separation approach for preparing porous membrane films. Poly(4-vinylpyridine) (P4VP), a pH-responsive polymer, is first dissolved at low pH where the polymer is charged and subsequently cast as a thin film. Switching to a high pH where the polymer is uncharged and insoluble results in controlled phase separation and solidification of the polymer into porous membrane structures. This approach gives a large degree of control over membrane structure, leading to symmetric porous microfiltration membranes and asymmetric dense nanofiltration membranes. Moreover, the use of a pH-responsive polymer leads directly to a pH-responsive membrane, where the degree of responsive behavior can be tuned by the degree of cross-linking. Such responsive behavior allows effective cleaning of the membrane, without the use of harsh chemicals. This work outlines an approach toward preparing membranes in a more sustainable fashion an approach that allows control over the membrane structure and one that naturally leads to advanced membranes with responsive properties.
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