Photomodification of a poly(acrylonitrile-co-butadiene-co-styrene) containing diaryltetrazolyl groups

A new type of membrane polymer, containing a photosensitive moiety, was synthesized. The photochemically induced functionalization and crosslinking of poly [acrylonitrile-co-butadiene-co-styrene-co-2-(4-ethenyl) phenyl-5-phenyl-2H-tetrazole], ABSV, has been studied. A variety of dipolarophiles and phenolic compounds were applied to alter the polarity of the membrane surface. The functionalization and crosslinking were initiated by photoirradiation. DSC and contact angle measurements were used to characterize the modified polymer. Pervaporation experiments with a cyclohexane/benzene mixture (5 wt% benzene) were carried out, with the results showing, that the photochemical treatment significantly effects both permselectivity and flux. Solubility parameters were found to be useful to interpret the pervaporation data. In general, the selectivity towards benzene increases with the polarity of the membrane surface, i.e., with increasing polarity of the modifier. A mechanism to explain the influence of both functionalization and crosslinking on the membrane performance, is proposed. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.