Preparation of composite membranes with bicontinuous structure

Composite membranes with a hierarchical structure comprising thin regions with a bicontinuous structure and thick regions providing mechanical strength have been prepared by casting inorganic zeolite particles and mixtures that yield organic polymers onto substrates that were decorated with sessile droplets of aqueous solutions. Analysis by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) showed a membrane structure with well-ordered imprints caused by the sessile template droplets. These imprints were open at the bottom and covered on the top with a thin sheet composed of particles and polymer. The particles protruded out of the polymer sheet at the top and bottom of the membrane in the thin regions. A significant number of the particles protruded out of both interfaces at the same time. Thus, these parts of the membrane can be considered to be bicontinuous. The imprints are surrounded by thick regions. These regions act as a supporting structure. Thus, the membranes are stable enough to be handled without special precautions and might be applicable to membrane separation processes.