Polyethyleneoxide-b-poly(isopropyl methacrylate) diblock copolymers as novel material for ultrafiltration membranes

Amphiphilic polyethyleneoxide-b-poly(isopropyl methacrylate) (PEO-b-PiPMA) diblock copolymers (BCP) with different molar masses are synthesized via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). For that functionalized PEO monomethyl ether with two different molar masses, 10 and 20 kDa, are used as macroinitiator to obtain BCP in a molar mass range relevant for membrane fabrication. The BCP are used in the nonsolvent induced phase separation (NIPS) with the aim to obtain isoporous ultrafiltration membranes due to combination with its self-assembling properties (SNIPS). In various experiments, a strong effect of PEO homopolymer (hPEO) on the membrane formation process can be proven in which fractions of BCP with low molar mass might also play a role. These impurities are left in the BCP after ATRP due to incomplete purification. Under specific conditions, they induce formation of void-like superstructures on the membrane surface and in the cross section by a templating mechanism. Probably, large compound micelles play a key role in this scenario hindering the favored SNIPS process. The superstructure formation can be avoided by extensive purification of the BCP via dialysis or extraction. From the purified polymers, self-supported ultrafiltration membranes with an integrated hydrophilic component are successfully fabricated. Although they do not lead to isoporous surfaces after semiempirical determination of suitable solvent systems for the SNIPS process, there are convincing indications that the trade-off relation between selectivity and permeability can be overcome. © 2020 The Authors. Journal of Polymer Science published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. , 2020 , 58, 2561–2574     

Computer Simulations on the Channel Membrane Formation by Nonsolvent Induced Phase Separation

The formation of channel membrane of polystyrene‐block‐poly(4‐vinyl pyridine) block copolymer is studied by computer simulations with the nonsolvent induced phase separation (SNIPS) method. Dissipative particle dynamics is employed to study the microphase separation process and the SNIPS mechanism. Simulation results indicate that polymer concentration has a significant effect on the membrane structure. Channel membranes form in the copolymer concentration range of 44–58%. Block ratio plays an important role in shaping the membrane structure. Solvent exchange rate also affects the degree of microphase separation at each evolution stage of simulation. The time evolution of morphologies shows that the microphase separation processes happen with the following sequences: the polymer self‐assembled and many small pores appear, then they form irregular cavities and cross‐link gradually, finally the channel membrane forms. These results throw light on the formation mechanism of polymer membranes and provide insightful guidance for future membrane design and preparation.     

Asymmetric Membranes from Two Chemically Distinct Triblock Terpolymers Blended during Standard Membrane Fabrication

Deviating from the traditional formation of block copolymer derived isoporous membranes from one block copolymer chemistry, here asymmetric membranes with isoporous surface structure are derived from two chemically distinct block copolymers blended during standard membrane fabrication. As a first proof of principle, the fabrication of asymmetric membranes is reported, which are blended from two chemically distinct triblock terpolymers, poly(isoprene‐b‐styrene‐b‐(4‐vinyl)pyridine) (ISV) and poly(isoprene‐b‐styrene‐b‐(dimethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) (ISA), differing in the pH‐responsive hydrophilic segment. Using block copolymer self‐assembly and nonsolvent induced phase separation process, pure and blended membranes are prepared by varying weight ratios of ISV to ISA. Pure and blended membranes exhibit a thin, selective layer of pores above a macroporous substructure. Observed permeabilities at varying pH values of blended membranes depend on relative triblock terpolymer composition. These results open a new direction for membrane fabrication through the use of mixtures of chemically distinct block copolymers enabling the tailoring of membrane surface chemistries and functionalities.

     

Highly‐Ordered Hybrid Organic‐Inorganic Isoporous Membranes from Polymer Modified Nanoparticles

Summary: Organic‐inorganic hybrid materials consisting of nanosized silica particles with surface grafted PS or PS‐b‐PMMA were synthesized using ATRP. These hybrid materials were used in the fabrication of highly‐ordered isoporous membranes. Optical characterization revealed that the membranes consisted of hexagonally ordered pores of uniform size. The combination of an open pore structure and high surface area makes isoporous membranes into materials of high interest in fields as biotechnology and photonics.

Image from optical microscope of hybrid nanoparticle membrane of SiO₂‐g‐PS with hexagonally‐ordered pores.     

Fabrication of b‐Oriented MFI Zeolite Films under Neutral Conditions without the Use of Hydrogen Fluoride

The fabrication of MFI zeolite films with particular b‐axis orientation is especially fascinating. Unlike the conventional alkaline or hydrofluoric acid (HF) assisted neutral synthesis route, here we develop a novel neutral synthesis solution system of TPABr/fumed silica/H₂O without the use of HF and successfully synthesize highly b‐oriented MFI zeolite films on glass‐plate substrates by secondary growth. The localized weak alkaline environment created by the dissolved Na₂O species from the substrate is identified as the key factor for the depolymerization of fumed silica and subsequently the in‐plane growth of zeolite seed layers. Continuous b‐oriented MFI films can also be synthesized on other substrates in the presence of a glass plate or a trace amount of NaOH, which making our neutral synthesis route promising for the direct synthesis of MFI zeolite films and membranes on various substrates.     

Polyimide polydimethylsiloxane triblock copolymers for thin film composite gas separation membranes

This article demonstrates the successful fabrication of thin‐film‐composite (TFC) membranes containing well‐defined soft‐hard‐soft triblock copolymers. Based on “hard” polyimide (PI) and “soft” polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS), these triblock copolymers (PDMS‐b‐PI‐b‐PDMS), were prepared via condensation polymerization, and end‐group allylic functionalization to prepare the polyimide component and subsequent “click” coupling with the soft azido functionalized PDMS component. The selective layer consisted of pure PDMS‐b‐PI‐b‐PDMS copolymers which were cast onto a precast crosslinked‐PDMS gutter layer which in turn was cast onto a porous polyacrylonitrile coated substrate. The TFC membranes' gas transport properties, primarily for the separation of carbon dioxide (CO₂) from nitrogen (N₂), were determined at 35 °C and at a feed pressure of 2 atm. The TFC membranes showed improvements in gas permselectivity with increasing PDMS weight fraction. These results demonstrate the ability for glassy, hard polymer components to be coated onto otherwise incompatible surfaces of highly permeable soft TFC substrates through covalent coupling. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Part A: Polym. Chem. 2014 , 52, 3372–3382     

Comparison of surface segregation and anticoagulant property in block copolymer blended evaporation and phase inversion membranes

In our recent study, an ABA amphiphilic triblock copolymer poly(vinyl pyrrolidone)‐b‐poly(methyl methacrylate)‐b‐poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) (PVP‐b‐PMMA‐b‐PVP) was synthesized and directly blended with polyethersulfone (PES) to prepare membranes. To further investigate the effects of surface energy and miscibility on the near‐surface composition profile of the membranes, evaporation membrane and phase inversion membrane of PES/PVP‐b‐PMMA‐b‐PVP were prepared by evaporating the solvent in a vacuum oven, and by a liquid–liquid phase separation technique, respectively. The surface composition and morphology of the membranes were investigated using XPS and tapping mode atomic force microscopy, and the surface segregations of the membranes were compared and discussed. For the evaporation membrane, PVP blocks were buried below the lower surface energy PMMA blocks and PES substrate at the airside surface. For the phase inversion membrane, however, the hydrophilicity of PVP blocks were the biggest driving force because of the high speed exchange between water and solvent, and present at the membrane surface. Thus, the modified PES membrane prepared by using phase inversion method has a layer of PVP block brushes on its surface and has the better anticoagulant property, which might improve the blood compatibility of the membrane and has potential to be used in blood purification. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Carbohydrates as Additives for the Formation of Isoporous PS‐b‐P4VP Diblock Copolymer Membranes

Highly porous polystyrene‐block‐poly(4‐vinylpyridine) (PS‐b‐P4VP) diblock copolymer membranes are prepared using carbohydrates as additives. Therefore α‐cyclodextrine, α‐(D )‐glucose, and saccharose (cane sugar) are tested for the membrane formation of three different PS‐b‐P4VP polymers. The addition of the carbohydrates leads to an increasing viscosity of the membrane solutions due to hydrogen bonding between hydroxyl groups of the carbohydrates and pyridine units of the block copolymer. In all cases, the membranes made from solution with carbohydrates have higher porosity, an improved narrow pore distribution on the surface and a higher water flux as membranes made without carbohydrates with the same polymer, solvent ratio, and polymer concentration.     

Synthesis,characterization, and property of amphiphilic fluorinated abc‐type triblock copolymers

Novel amphiphilic fluorinated ABC‐type triblock copolymers composed of hydrophilic poly(ethylene oxide) monomethyl ether (MeOPEO), hydrophobic polystyrene (PSt), and hydrophobic/lipophobic poly(perfluorohexylethyl acrylate) (PFHEA) were synthesized by atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) using N,N,N′,N″,N″‐pentamethyldiethylenetriamine (PMDETA)/CuBr as a catalyst system. The bromide‐terminated diblock copolymers poly(ethylene oxide)‐block‐polystyrene (MeOPEO‐b‐PSt‐Br) were prepared by the ATRP of styrene initiated with the macroinitiator MeOPEO‐Br, which was obtained by the esterification of poly(ethylene oxide) monomethyl ether (MeOPEO) with 2‐bromoisobutyryl bromide. A fluorinated block of poly(perfluorohexylethyl acrylate) (PFHEA) was then introduced into the diblock copolymer by a second ATRP process to synthesize a novel ABC‐type triblock copolymer, poly(ethylene oxide)‐block‐polystyrene‐block‐poly(perfluorohexylethyl acrylate) (MeOPEO‐b‐PSt‐b‐PFHEA). These block copolymers were characterized by means of proton nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR) and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Water contact angle measurements revealed that the polymeric coating of the triblock copolymer (MeOPEO‐b‐PSt‐b‐PFHEA) shows more hydrophobic than that of the corresponding diblock copolymer (MeOPEO‐b‐PSt). Bovine serum albumin (BSA) was used as a model protein to evaluate the protein adsorption property and the triblock copolymer coating posseses excellent protein‐resistant character prior to the corresponding diblock copolymer and polydimethylsiloxane. These amphiphilic fluoropolymers can expect to have potential applications for antifouling coatings and antifouling membranes. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

Block copolystyrene derivatives having flexible alkylsulfonated side chains and hydrophobic alkoxy chains as a proton exchange membrane for fuel cell application

A series of block copolystyrene derivatives, poly{[4‐(4‐sulfobutyloxy)styrene]_x‐block‐[4‐(n‐butoxystyrene)]_y} (PSBOS_x‐b‐PnBOS_y), containing a flexible alkylsufonated side chain and hydrophobic alkoxy chain with various ion exchange capacities (IECs) have been synthesized based on living anionic polymerization. The resulting crosslinked membranes were prepared using 4,4′‐methylene‐bis[2,6‐bis(hydroxyethyl)phenol] as the crosslinker in the presence of methanesulfonic acid. The crosslinked PSBOS_2.2‐b‐PnBOS₁ membrane with IEC of 2.89 mequiv g^?1 displays a high proton conductivity (0.01 S cm^?1) at 30% relative humidity and 80 °C, which is comparable to that of Nafion. The well‐developed phase separation and the continuous hydrophilic domains in the crosslinked PSBOS_2.2‐b‐PnBOS₁ membranes have been observed in a transmission electron microscope image. Moreover, the dynamic mechanical analysis measurement and Fenton's reagent testing show that the crosslinked PSBOS_x‐b‐PnBOS_y membranes have good mechanical properties and oxidative stability. These results indicate that the introduction of flexible alkylsulfonated side chains to the polystyrene main chains positively affect both the proton conductivity and oxidative stability. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2013     

Polymeric Micelle Assembly for the Smart Synthesis of Mesoporous Platinum Nanospheres with Tunable Pore Sizes

A facile method for the fabrication of well‐dispersed mesoporous Pt nanospheres involves the use of a polymeric micelle assembly. A core–shell–corona type triblock copolymer [poly(styrene‐b‐2‐vinylpyridine‐b‐ethylene oxide), PS‐b‐P2VP‐b‐PEO] is employed as the pore‐directing agent. Negatively charged PtCl₄^2? ions preferably interact with the protonated P2VP⁺ blocks while the free PEO chains prevent the aggregation of the Pt nanospheres. The size of the mesopores can be finely tuned by varying the length of the PS chain. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that the metallic mesoporous nanospheres thus obtained are promising candidates for applications in electrochemistry.     

Uniformly Oriented Zeolite ZSM‐5 Membranes with Tunable Wettability on a Porous Ceramic

Facile fabrication of well‐intergrown, oriented zeolite membranes with tunable chemical properties on commercially proven substrates is crucial to broadening their applications for separation and catalysis. Rationally determined electrostatic adsorption can enable the direct attachment of a b‐oriented silicalite‐1 monolayer on a commercial porous ceramic substrate. Homoepitaxially oriented, well‐intergrown zeolite ZSM‐5 membranes with a tunable composition of Si/Al=25–∞ were obtained by secondary growth of the monolayer. Intercrystallite defects can be eliminated by using Na⁺ as the mineralizer to promote lateral crystal growth and suppress surface nucleation in the direction of the straight channels, as evidenced by atomic force microscopy measurements. Water permeation testing shows tunable wettability from hydrophobic to highly hydrophilic, giving the potential for a wide range of applications.     

Fabrication and cytocompatibility evaluation for blood‐compatible polyethersulfone membrane modified by a synthesized poly (vinyl pyrrolidone)‐block‐poly (acrylate‐graft‐poly(methyl methacrylate))‐block‐poly‐(vinyl pyrrolidone)

Polyethersulfone (PES) membrane, one of the most important polymeric materials because of its good chemical resistance, thermal stability, mechanical, and film‐forming properties, has already been used in hemodialysis, tissue engineering, and artificial organs. In order to improve the blood compatibility of PES membrane, many amphiphilic block copolymers have been synthesized and used as additives for surface modification. The object of this study is to develop a hydrophilic PES membrane by blending a comblike amphiphilic block copolymer poly (vinyl pyrrolidone)‐block‐poly [acrylate‐graft‐poly (methyl methacrylate)]‐block‐poly‐(vinyl pyrrolidone) [PVP‐b‐P (AE‐g‐PMMA)‐b‐PVP] synthesized by RAFT polymerization. The cytocompatibility performance of PVP‐b‐P (AE‐g‐PMMA)‐b‐PVP modified PES membrane was evaluated, which showed better cytocompatibility compared with that of pristine PES membrane. Endothelial cells cultured on the modified membranes present improved growth in terms of scanning electron microscope observation, MTT assay, and confocal laser scanning microscope observation. These results indicate that the modified membrane has great potential application in blood‐contact fields such as hemodialysis and bio‐artificial liver supports. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Ultrathin and Large‐area Macroporous Polymeric Membranes Formed Through Self‐assembly of Sub‐10 nm Elastic Nanoparticles

A variety of sub‐10 nm nanoparticles are successfully prepared by crosslinking of polystyrene‐b‐poly(1,3‐butadiene) (PS‐b‐PB) and polystyrene‐b‐poly(4‐vinyl pyridine) (PS‐b‐P4VP) block copolymer micelles and inverse micelles. Among them, the core‐crosslinked PS‐b‐PB micelles can self‐assemble into ultrathin (< 10 nm) macroporous (pore size <1 µm) membranes in a facile way, i.e., by simply drop‐coating the particle solution onto a mica surface. No continuous/porous membranes are produced from shell‐crosslinked PS‐b‐PB micelles and both forms of PS‐b‐P4VP micelles. This suggests that the unique structure of the block copolymer precursor, including the very flexible core‐forming block and the glassy corona‐forming block and the specific block length ratio, directly determines the formation of the macroporous membrane.

     

A comparative study of phosphoric acid‐doped m‐PBI membranes

Phosphoric acid (PA)‐doped m‐polybenzimidazole (PBI) membranes used in high temperature fuel cells and hydrogen pumps were prepared by a conventional imbibing process and a sol–gel fabrication process. A comparative study was conducted to investigate the critical properties of PA doping levels, ionic conductivities, mechanical properties, and molecular ordering. This systematic study found that sol–gel PA‐doped m‐PBI membranes were able to absorb higher acid doping levels and to achieve higher ionic conductivities than conventionally imbibed membranes when treated in an equivalent manner. Even at similar acid loadings, the sol–gel membranes exhibited higher ionic conductivities. Heat treatment of conventionally imbibed membranes with ≤29 wt % solids caused a significant reduction in mechanical properties; conversely, sol–gel membranes exhibited an enhancement in mechanical properties. From X‐ray structural studies and atomistic simulations, both conventionally imbibed and sol–gel membranes exhibited d‐spacings of 3.5 and 4.6 Å, which were tentatively attributed to parallel ring stacking and staggered side‐to‐side packing, respectively, of the imidazole rings in these aromatic heterocyclic polymers. An anisotropic staggered side‐to‐side chain packing present in the conventional membranes may be related to the reduction in mechanical properties. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Polym. Sci., Polym. Phys. 2014 , 52, 26–35     

Templated nanostructured PS‐b‐PEO nanotubes

With anodic aluminum oxide (AAO) membranes as wetting templates, nanotubes of the cylinder‐forming polystyrene‐block‐poly(ethylene oxide) (PS‐b‐PEO) copolymer were generated. The PS‐b‐PEO solution was introduced into the cylindrical nanopores of an AAO membrane by capillary force and polymeric nanotubes formed after solvent evaporation. Because of the water solubility of the cylindrical PEO microdomains and the orientation of the cylindrical PEO microdomains with respect to the nanotube walls, the nanotubes were permeable to aqueous media. PS‐b‐PEO nanotubes were also prepared on the interior walls of amorphous carbon nanotubes (a‐CNTs). Because of the unique water permeability of the PEO microdomains, an avenue for functionalizing the interior of the a‐CNTs is enabled. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 45: 2912–2917, 2007     

Methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)‐b‐poly(octadecanoic anhydride)‐b‐methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) amphiphilic triblock copolymer nanoparticles as delivery vehicles for paclitaxel

A series of amphiphilic triblock copolymers, methoxy poly(ethylene glycol)‐b‐poly(octadecanoic anhydride)‐b‐methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) (mPEG‐b‐POA‐b‐mPEG), were prepared via melt polycondensation of methoxy poly(ethylene glycol) (mPEG) and poly(octadecanoic anhydride) (POA). mPEG‐b‐POA‐b‐mPEG were characterized by FTIR, ¹H‐NMR, GPC, DSC, and XRD. Drug‐loaded mPEG‐b‐POA‐b‐mPEG nanoparticles (NPs) with spherical morphology and narrow size polydispersity index were prepared by nanoprecipitation technique with paclitaxel as the model drug. In vitro release behaviors of drug‐loaded NPs present that the biphasic process and the release mechanism of each phase are zero order drug releases. According to this study, mPEG‐b‐POA‐b‐mPEG NPs could serve as suitable delivery agents for paclitaxel and other hydrophobic drugs. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Selectively sulfonated poly(aryl ether sulfone)‐b‐polybutadiene for proton exchange membrane

A series of selectively sulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone)‐b‐polybutadiene copolymers (SPAES‐b‐PB) were prepared based on carboxyl terminated polybutadiene (CTPB) and sulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone) (SPAES) that was directly prepared by polycondensation of 4,4′‐isopropylidenediphenol with different molar ratios of disodium 3,3′‐disulfonate‐4,4′‐dichlorodiphenyl sulfone (SDCDPS) to 4,4′‐dichlorodiphenylsulfone (DCDPS), and subsequent selective postsulfonation of flexible PB block was carried out. Epoxidized modification of membranes was conducted by an in situ‐generated peracid method. The content of sulfonic acid groups attaching to aromatic rings in SPAES was determined by ¹H NMR and was in good aggrement with the controlled ratios. The effect of sulfonated rigid blocks on the postsulfonation of PB blocks was studied by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The glass transition temperature (T_g) and the temperature of the melting peak (T) of membranes in acid form were studied by differential scanning calorimetry. Fenton's reagent test revealed that the selectively sulfonated SPAES‐b‐PB membranes had good stability to oxidation. The microstructure of rod‐like rigid SPAES blocks and interpenetrating network of ions were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Complex impedance measurement showed that an epoxidized membrane with SPAES‐40 exhibited the highest proton conductivity (1.08 × 10^?1 S/cm, 90 °C), which was due to the formation of obvious ionic networks. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 44: 665–672, 2006     

Synthesis,characterization, and crosslinking of methacrylate‐telechelic PDMAAm‐b‐PDMS‐b‐PDMAAm copolymers

The synthesis and molecular characterization of a new amphiphilic conetwork (APCN) designed for silicone hydrogel use is described. The synthesis strategy, outlined in Scheme 1 , calls for the preparation, by the RAFT technique, of a new methacrylate‐telechelic amphiphilic pentablock, MA‐PHEA‐b‐PDMAAM‐b‐PDMS‐b‐PDMAAm‐b‐PHEA‐MA, and its crosslinking to the target APCN. The sketch shows the architecture of the APCN (dotted lines, PDMAAm; solid lines, PDMS; clusters, MA‐based crosslinking sites; see Fig. 3 ). All six synthesis steps proceed smoothly and efficiently, and the products are optically clear, colorless membranes exhibiting properties appropriate for ophthalmic use. © 2007 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem 45: 4284–4290, 2007     

Mechanosensitive Oligodithienothiophenes: Transmembrane Anion Transport Along Chalcogen‐Bonding Cascades

The design, synthesis, and evaluation of multifunctional dithieno[3,2‐b;2′,3′‐d]thiophene (DTT) trimers is described. Twisted push‐push‐pull or donor‐donor‐acceptor (DDA) trimers composed of one DTT acceptor and two DTT donors show strong mechanochromism in lipid bilayer membranes. Red shifts in excitation rather than emission and fluorescence recovery with increasing membrane order are consistent with planarization of the twisted, extra‐long mechanophores in the ground state. The complementary pull‐pull‐pull or AAA trimers with deep σ holes all along the scaffold are not mechanochromic in membranes but excel with submicromolar anion transport activity. Anion transport along membrane‐spanning strings of chalcogen‐bond donors is unprecedented and completes previous results on transmembrane cascades that operate with equally unorthodox interactions such as halogen bonds and anion‐π interactions.