Preparation and characterizations of asymmetric sulfonated polysulfone membranes by wet phase inversion method

This paper presents an original approach to prepare the asymmetric sulfonated polysulfone membranes by using wet phase inversion method and their applications for dehydrating a water/ethanol mixture by pervaporation. The separation performances of sulfonated membranes were strongly affected by the degree of sulfonation and the degree of swelling of membranes. The substitution degree of sulfonic group enhanced the permselectivity of sulfonated polysulfone membranes by increasing the hydrophilicity of polymer backbone. Based on the observations of membrane morphology and light transmittance measurements, the degree of sulfonation of polysulfone presented less influence on the membrane formation pathway and the final structure of membrane in wet phase inversion process. It was also found that the sulfonated membranes showed well hydrophilic properties and facilitated water adsorption in the membranes. The sorption and permeation properties also showed that the permselectivity of asymmetric membrane was dominated by the permeate diffusion rather than the permeate sorption in the skin layer. The high separation performance of pervaporation membrane can be achieved by phase inverse method with sulfonated polysulfone.     

Morphology and properties of semi-IPNs of polyetherimide and bisphenol A dicyanate

Semi-interpenetrating polymer networks (semi-IPNs) were synthesized from mixtures of polyetherimide (PEI) and bisphenol A dicyanate (BPACY) at different compositions and different cure temperatures. The phase separation behavior during cure was analyzed in terms of glass transtion temperature (T_g) behavior of fully cured semi-IPNs and the morphology–property relationship was also studied. The mixtures of PEI and BPACY monomer showed upper critical solution temperature behavior and their semi-IPNs showed sea-island morphology in 1–14 wt% PEI composition, dual-phase morphology in 15–19 wt% PEI composition and nodular morphology in 20–60 wt% PEI composition, respectively. The sea-island morphology was formed via nucleation and growth, while the other morphologies were predominantly formed via spinodal decomposition. Cure temperature did not influence the macroscopic morphology, but the domain size changed with temperature. As cure temperature was increased, the PEI domain size in the sea-island morphology decreased, while the BPACY nodule size increased in the nodular morphology. Mechanical and thermal properties were so strongly dependent upon the morphology that they changed dramatically near the phase inversion point.     

酚酞基聚芳醚砜非对称超滤膜凝胶动力学研究

采用耐高温工程塑料——含酚酞侧基的聚芳醚砜(PES-C)为膜材料,草酸和聚乙二醇为添加剂,N,N-二甲基乙酰胺为溶剂,并利用改进的凝胶动力学实验装置和方法,使之能真实地再现不同膜孔结构生长及发展演化的过程,借助相关软件对图像进行处理,考察了添加剂、聚合物浓度对铸膜液凝胶速度的影响,对酚酞基聚芳醚砜非对称膜的凝胶过程的动力学进行研究.结果表明,动力学图像与最终膜结构有很好的一致性,凝胶动力学方面得到了与Strathman等不同的研究结果,发现凝胶前锋位移的平方与时间不是线性关系,凝胶动力学过程不能简单地用Fick扩散定律来描述.     

Effect of surface morphology on membrane fouling by humic acid with the use of cellulose acetate butyrate hollow fiber membranes

A serious problem faced during the application of membrane filtration in water treatment is membrane fouling by natural organic matter (NOM). The hydrophilicity, zeta potential and morphology of membrane surface mainly influence membrane fouling. The aim of the present study is to reveal the correlation between membrane surface morphology and membrane fouling by use of humic acid solution and to investigate the efficiency of backwashing by water, which is applied to restore membrane flux. Cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB) hollow fiber membranes were used in the present study. To obtain the membranes with various surface structures, membranes were prepared via both thermally induced phase separation (TIPS) and nonsolvent-induced phase separation (NIPS) by changing the preparation conditions such as polymer concentration, air gap distance and coagulation bath composition. Since the membrane material is the same, the effects of hydrophilicity and zeta potential on membrane fouling can be ignored. More significant flux decline was observed in the membrane with lower humic acid rejection. For the membranes with similar water permeability, the lower the porosity at the outer surface, the more serious the membrane fouling. Furthermore, the effect of the membrane morphology on backwashing performance was discussed.     

乙炔基封端聚酰亚胺增韧改性的相结构

以双酚A二醚二酐(BPADA)和3乙-炔苯胺(APA)为原料,通过两步法合成一种热固性可交联的聚酰亚胺预聚体.将此预聚体分别与不同结构的热塑性聚酰亚胺(PI)共混,对其进行增韧改性,通过调控热塑性聚酰亚胺的质量分数,引入结构相似且含有更多柔性基团的热塑性聚酰亚胺(如含有醚键和对称甲基结构的二酐),得到了热固/热塑性聚酰亚胺复合膜.利用差示扫描量热仪(DSC)及扫描电镜(SEM)对该体系的相分离结构和相容性进行研究,并讨论其机械性能和热性能.结果表明,相分离结构使体系的机械性能得到改善,同时也保持了原有的优异热性能.     

热致相分离法偏二氯乙烯-氯乙烯共聚物多孔膜的制备及性能

以偏二氯乙烯-氯乙烯共聚物[P(VDC-co-VC)]为成膜聚合物, 邻苯二甲酸二甲酯(DMP)为稀释剂, 采用热致相分离(TIPS)法制备了具有多孔结构的P(VDC-co-VC)膜. 通过聚合物-稀释剂二元体系相图、 场发射扫描电镜(FESEM)、 差示扫描量热仪(DSC)、 X射线衍射(XRD)、 原子力显微镜(AFM)、 纯水通量、 接触角、 孔径及其分布、 截留率及力学性能等研究了聚合物含量对P(VDC-co-VC)多孔膜结构和性能的影响. 结果表明, P(VDC-co-VC)-DMP二元体系成膜过程以液-液(L-L)分相为主, 随着聚合物含量增加, 膜的横截面由类花瓣状结构向胞腔状结构转变, 膜的孔连通性降低, 结构变得较为致密, 同时膜上表面孔隙率降低, 粗糙度增大. L-L分相时间和聚合物含量的变化, 导致膜结晶度先降低后增大. 聚合物含量的增加使膜上表面接触角、 断裂强度及蛋白截留率增加, 但膜的平均孔径、 孔隙率及纯水通量先增加后减小. 当聚合物质量分数为30%时, 所得膜通透性较优, 断裂强度可达7.5 MPa.     

浸没凝胶相转化制备聚合物膜的孔结构及其形成机理

全面地综述了浸没凝胶相转化法制备的聚合物微孔膜的表面和膜中存在的各种孔的结构和形态,从制膜体系的热力学性质和成膜动力学角度解释了各种孔结构形态的形成和生长机理,即膜表面与膜中孔的结构形态由此时制膜体系发生的相分离类型决定,由此可推断出不同的膜层可能有不同的成膜机理。因此,只要掌握了各种膜孔结构形成的机理,通过改变膜的制备条件,控制体系的热力学性质与成膜时动力学扩散是可以实现相转化膜结构的控制。     

Phase-mixed poly(ethylene glycol)/poly(trimethylolpropane triacrylate) semi-interpenetrating polymer networks obtained by rapid network formation

Semi-interpenetrating polymer networks (semi-IPNs) of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) in poly(trimethylolpropane triacrylate) (TMPTA) were synthesized from PEG melts in neat TMPTA monomer, using PEG of molecular weights from 4000 to 100,000 g/mol. Differential scanning calorimetry and transmission electron microscopy were used to examine phase separation occurring during network formation. The degree of phase separation was observed to depend upon the rate of PEG aggregation relative to the rate of network formation during TMPTA polymerization. Higher molecular weight PEG and acrylate-functionalized PEG formed more phase-mixed networks compared to lower molecular weight PEG; acetatefunctionalized PEG showed no difference from unmodified PEG in the extent of phase mixing. For networks that demonstrated phase separation, the PEG was observed to be in two states: some being phase mixed and solvent inextractable, and some being phase separated and solvent extractable. Phase-mixed networks could be obtained from this thermodynamically incompatible polymer pair utilizing rapid photopolymerization systems to overcome PEG phase aggregation and kinetically entrap the PEG in a nonequilibrium phase-mixed state. These mixed-phase semi-IPNs of PEG and TMPTA may be useful in biological applications where the presence of PEG is desired throughout the bulk matrix rather than as a surface graft to reduce biological interactions. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Preparation and characterisation of novel polysulfone membranes modified with Pluronic F-127 for reducing microalgal fouling

In this study, hydrophilic and fouling-resistant polysulfone (PS) membranes were fabricated using the phase inversion method to reduce membrane fouling caused by microalgal culture. The Pluronic F-127 polymer, which is used as a hydrophilic co-polymer, was added to the membranes to improve the membrane properties. Characteristic specifications of the fabricated membranes, such as morphology, surface roughness, chemical structures and hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity, were studied using scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), attenuated total reflection-fourier infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy and contact angle devices. According to the results obtained, it was observed that, with the increase of the Pluronic F-127 concentration in the membranes, the surface roughness of the membranes decreased and hydrophilicity and permeation fluxes increased notably. Furthermore, it was observed that the addition of the Pluronic F-127 polymer into the membranes reduced reversible/irreversible membrane fouling. Additionally, a characterisation of the fouled membranes was performed for the purpose of comprehensively understanding the membrane fouling mechanism caused by microalgal culture.     

Poly(acrylonitrile) ultrafiltration membranes. II. Membrane morphology and permeation characteristics

The rheology and phase‐boundary characteristics of various solutions comprising three polyacrylonitrile (PAN) grades dissolved in solutions of N,N‐dimethylformamide + salt (LiCl, ZnCl₂, or AlCl₃) additives were correlated with the resulting membrane morphology as determined by microscopy and permeability measurements. The phase separation characteristics of the dope solution were not markedly affected by the PAN molecular weight (MW); however, they were affected by the salt additive. For higher MW grades, the effect of salt addition can also be masked by the increased self‐association tendency of the polymer chains. PAN‐B and ‐C membranes were clearly less asymmetric in structure than the lower MW PAN‐A–based membranes. This is attributed to the higher viscosity/lower diffusivity of the PAN‐B and ‐C solutions, which results in slower solvent–nonsolvent exchange during the phase inversion process. Two factors reduce the incidence of surface defects (increased bubble points): (a) higher solution viscosity dampens surface perturbations during phase inversion, and (b) phase inversion pathways resulting in more homogenous morphology lead to membranes with higher bubble points. © 2005 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part B: Polym Phys 43: 2074–2085, 2005     

Poly(vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene)-based membranes for lithium batteries

Poly(vinylidene fluoride-hexafluoropropylene) (PVdF-HFP) copolymer membranes were prepared by a phase inversion technique with poly(ethylene glycol) as an additive and tetrahydrofuran or acetone or dimethylformamide as solvent. The morphology, ionic conductivity and uptake of electrolyte solution by the polymer membranes were studied. The amount of intake of electrolyte solution by the polymer membranes increases with the increase of PEG content. The morphology and ionic conductivity of the polymer membranes (PM) are correlated with the physical properties of the solvents used in the phase inversion process. The cycling behavior of the membrane was examined with Li/LiCoO₂ cells.     

PU/PNIPAM semi-IPN微孔膜温度响应性研究

将聚氨酯(PU)与聚N-异丙基丙烯酰胺(PNIPAM)半互穿网络聚合物(semi-IPN)通过浸入沉淀相转化方法制备成微孔膜,并从亲水性、吸水溶胀性以及透湿性等方面对其温度响应性进行了讨论.PNIPAM的引入使膜的亲水性、吸水性和透湿性大为改善,并显著提高了膜的温度响应能力;但与此同时也使得膜的韧性降低.当PU/PNIPAM为3/1时,可获得最好的综合性能.同传统无孔致密膜相比,PU/PNIPAM semi-IPN微孔膜的透湿机理是基于微孔的开闭,在维持显著的温敏透湿性的同时可实现较高的高温透湿量.     

Synthesis and property of a novel sulfonated poly(ether ether ketone) with high selectivity for direct methanol fuel cell applications

A novel membrane material based on random copolymer composed of poly(acrylonitrile-([3-(methacryloylamino)propyl]-dimethyl(3-sulfopropyl) ammonium hydroxide)) (PAN–MPDSAH) was synthesized by the water phase suspension polymerization. The zwitterionic PAN-based membranes were prepared through blending PAN and PAN–MPDSAH copolymer by a phase inversion method. The zwitterionic PAN-based membranes have higher hydrophilicity and wettability, and lower protein adsorption in comparison with the control PAN membrane. Ultrafiltration experiments revealed that membrane fouling, especially irreversible membrane fouling, for the zwitterionic PAN-based membranes is remarkably reduced due to the incorporation of zwitterionic PMPDSAH segments on the membrane surfaces. Moreover, the reversible membrane fouling during ultrafiltration process can be easily washed away by simple water cleaning. The zwitterionic PAN-based membranes can run for a long time and be reused without significant decrease of separation performance.     

Molecular elucidation of morphology and mechanical properties of PVDF hollow fiber membranes from aspects of phase inversion, crystallization and rheology

This study explores the fundamental science of fabricating poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) hollow fiber membranes as well as elucidates the correlation among membrane morphology, crystallinity and mechanical properties as functions of non-solvent additives and dope rheology in the phase inversion process. A series of non-solvents (i.e. water, methanol, ethanol, isopropanol) are used either as non-solvent additives in the dope or as a component in the external coagulant. Depending on the strength of the non-solvent, the phase inversion of semi-crystalline PVDF membranes is dominated by liquid–liquid demixing or solid–liquid demixing accompanying crystallization. As a result, the membrane morphology transforms from an interconnected-cellular type to an interconnected-globule transition type with lower mechanical strengths when adding water, methanol, ethanol, or isopropanol into the spinning dopes or into the coagulation bath. The crystallinity and size of spherulitic globules in the morphology are controlled by the amounts of non-solvents presented in the systems. The rheological behavior of dope solutions is explored and the relationship between elongation viscosity and mechanical properties has been elaborated. Analytical methods and molecular dynamics simulations are employed to provide insights mechanisms from the views of thermodynamic and kinetic aspects as well as the state of polymer chains involved in the phase inversion process.     

Polymers from renewable resources. XXI. Semi-interpenetrating polymer networks based on cardanol-formaldehyde-substituted aromatic compounds copolymerized resins and castor oil polyurethanes: Synthesis,structure, scanning electron microscopy and XRD

Substituted aromatic compounds incorporated–cardanol–formaldehyde novolac resins were synthesized by acid base catalyzed reactions. A number of improved high temperature stable interpenetrating polymer networks (semi-IPNs) were prepared by condensing novolac resins and polyurethanes prepared from castor oil and diisocyanates of varying NCO/OH ratio. The structure of these semi-IPNs were studied using various characterization techniques such as IR, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectra. The scanning electron microscopy of some of the semi-IPNs have been studied and the morphology has been examined. The samples were subjected to wide angle X-ray diffraction analysis. The degree of crystallinity (X_cr) was computed on the basis of the crystal defect concept, developed by Ruland and Vonk. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Polym Sci A: Polym Chem 35: 3117–3124, 1997     

PREPARATION OF EVOH MICROPOROUS MEMBRANES via THERMALLY INDUCED PHASE SEPARATION USING BINARY SOLVENTS

Microporous ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer （EVOH） flat membranes and hollow-fiber membranes with 38 mol% ethylene content were prepared via thermally induced phase separation （TIPS） using the mixture of 1,4-butanediol and poly（ethylene glycol）（PEG400） as diluents. Effects of the ratio of 1,4-butanediol to PEG400 on the phase diagrams, phase separation mechanism and membrane morphology were studied by small angle light scattering （SALS） measurements, differential scanning calorimetry （DSC）, and scanning ele~：tron microscopy （SEM）. It was found that by varying the composition of the binary solvent, the phase diagrams and membrane morphology can be controlled successfully. Moreover, the phase diagrams showed that broader regions of Liquid-Liquid （L-L） phase separation were obtained, as well as closer distances between L-L phase separation lines and Solid-Liquid （S-L） phase separation lines, Interconnected structures observed both in the flat membrane and hollow fiber membrane consist with the above results.     

Microphase separation during the concurrent formation of two polymer networks

As a rule, interpenetrating polymer networks (IPNs) are multiphase systems, and the degree of microphase separation is determined by the competition between the chemical kinetics of reaction and the physical kinetics of phase separation. For semi-IPNs of crosslinked polyurethane and linear polystyrene obtained by a one-step process, the development of the morphology has been followed by light transmission measurements and by optical microscopy, and finally examined by scanning electron microscopy. When phase separation takes place after gelation, the rather short elastic chains of polyurethane limit the growth of the styrenic phase at a submicroscopic level and the materials thus formed are transparent. On the contrary, when the reaction medium can phase-separate before gelation of polyurethane, the final morphology results from a superposition of two levels of phase separation: i) a fine dispersion of the components and ii) a gross phase separation of polystyrene noduli surrounded by a polyurethane-rich shell.     

Formation and characterization of asymmetric nanofiltration membrane: Effect of shear rate and polymer concentration

In this study, we report the effects of shear rates and polymer concentrations in the formation of asymmetric nanofiltration membrane using a simple dry/wet phase inversion technique. Employing the combination of irreversible thermodynamic model, solution-diffusion model (Spiegler–Kedem equation), steric-hindrance pore (SHP) model and Teorell–Meyers (TMS) model, the transport mechanisms and membrane structural properties were determined and have been characterized for different cases of those formation parameters. The experimental and modeling showed very promising results in terms of membrane performance with interesting structural details. The optimum shear rate (critical shear rate) was found to be at about 203.20 s⁻¹ and the best polymer concentration toward the formation of high performance nanofiltration membrane is in the range of 19.60–23.10%. The modeling results suggested that the pore radius of the membranes produced lies within the range of pore radius of 29 commercial available membranes. This study also proposed that the electrolytes transport through nanofiltration membrane was dominated by a convection factor which accounted approximately 30% more than a diffusion factor. This study also indicated that shear rate and polymer concentration were found to affect the membrane performance and structural properties by providing, to a certain extent, an oriented membrane skin layer which in turn exhibiting an improvement in membrane separation ability.     

Regulation of the microstructure of polyvinylidene fluoride membrane via incorporation of nano-ZIF-7 for improving hydrophobicity and antiwetting performance

The design and fabrication of a membrane with super hydrophobicity and antiwetting property is of great importance for improving membrane performance in distillation, desalination, gas absorption, and separation. In this work, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membranes were modified by Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-7 (ZIF-7) nanocrystals to improve the hydrophobic property and antiwetting performance. ZIF-7/PVDF hybrid membranes were prepared via the nonsolvent-induced phase separation (NIPS) method. Different concentrations of ZIF-7 nanocrystals (0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, and 5 wt%) were introduced into the PVDF dope solution, and the physical structure of the resulting membranes were systematically characterized. Due to the hydrophobic nature of ZIF-7 nanocrystals, the solvent–nonsolvent exchange rate had been regulated effectively during phase inversion. The morphology of top and bottom surfaces, together with the inner structures of the hybrid membrane, has been changed obviously, showing a more twisted finger-like macrovoid layer and a thicker sponge-like layer compared to pristine PVDF membrane. Furthermore, the hydrophobicity and antiwetting properties of these hybrid membranes improved obviously when the incorporated concentration of ZIF-7 was higher than 1 wt%. The M(2) membrane, which possessed the highest surface roughness and water contact angles, showed the best antiwetting property and recovered gas permeance ratio (>95%) after being immersed in aqueous solution for 10 hr.     

Structure and pH‐sensitive properties of poly (vinylidene fluoride) membrane changed by blending poly (acrylic acid) microgels

pH‐sensitive poly (vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF)/poly (acrylic acid) (PAA) microgels membranes are prepared by phase inversion of the N, N‐dimethylformamide solution containing PAA microgels and PVDF in aqueous solution. The composition and structure of the blend membrane are investigated by Fourier transform infrared spectra, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy measurements, thermo gravimetric analysis, field‐emission scanning electron microscope and atomic force microscope. The results indicate the surface and cross section of the blend membranes have a porous structure with PAA microgels immobilized inside the pore and on the membrane surface. The blend PVDF membranes exhibit pH‐sensitive water flux, with the most drastic change in permeability observed between pH 3.7 and 6.3. The blend membranes are fouled by bovine serum albumin, and their antifouling property is enhanced by increasing PAA microgels, mainly derived from the improved hydrophilic property. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.