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Cooper AJ, Grzetic DJ, Delaney KT, Fredrickson GH. Investigating microstructure evolution in block copolymer membranes. J Chem Phys 2024; 160:074903. [PMID: 38380746 DOI: 10.1063/5.0188196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2024] [Indexed: 02/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Block copolymer self-assembly in conjunction with nonsolvent-induced phase separation (SNIPS) has been increasingly leveraged to fabricate integral-asymmetric membranes. The large number of formulation and processing parameters associated with SNIPS, however, has prevented the reliable construction of high performance membranes. In this study, we apply dynamical self-consistent field theory to model the SNIPS process and investigate the effect of various parameters on the membrane morphology: solvent selectivity, nonsolvent selectivity, initial film composition, and glass transition composition. We examine how solvent selectivity and concentration of polymers in the film impact the structure of micelles that connect to form the membrane matrix. In particular, we find that preserving the order in the surface layer and forming a connection between the supporting and surface layer are nontrivial and sensitive to each parameter studied. The effect of each parameter is discussed, and suggestions are made for successfully fabricating viable block copolymer membranes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony J Cooper
- Department of Physics, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA
| | | | - Kris T Delaney
- Materials Research Laboratory, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA
| | - Glenn H Fredrickson
- Materials Research Laboratory, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA
- Departments of Chemical Engineering and Materials, University of California, Santa Barbara, California 93106, USA
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2
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McCaskill JS, Karnaushenko D, Zhu M, Schmidt OG. Microelectronic Morphogenesis: Smart Materials with Electronics Assembling into Artificial Organisms. ADVANCED MATERIALS (DEERFIELD BEACH, FLA.) 2023; 35:e2306344. [PMID: 37814374 DOI: 10.1002/adma.202306344] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2023] [Revised: 08/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/11/2023]
Abstract
Microelectronic morphogenesis is the creation and maintenance of complex functional structures by microelectronic information within shape-changing materials. Only recently has in-built information technology begun to be used to reshape materials and their functions in three dimensions to form smart microdevices and microrobots. Electronic information that controls morphology is inheritable like its biological counterpart, genetic information, and is set to open new vistas of technology leading to artificial organisms when coupled with modular design and self-assembly that can make reversible microscopic electrical connections. Three core capabilities of cells in organisms, self-maintenance (homeostatic metabolism utilizing free energy), self-containment (distinguishing self from nonself), and self-reproduction (cell division with inherited properties), once well out of reach for technology, are now within the grasp of information-directed materials. Construction-aware electronics can be used to proof-read and initiate game-changing error correction in microelectronic self-assembly. Furthermore, noncontact communication and electronically supported learning enable one to implement guided self-assembly and enhance functionality. Here, the fundamental breakthroughs that have opened the pathway to this prospective path are reviewed, the extent and way in which the core properties of life can be addressed are analyzed, and the potential and indeed necessity of such technology for sustainable high technology in society is discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- John S McCaskill
- Research Center for Materials, Architectures and Integration of Nanomembranes (MAIN), Chemnitz University of Technology, 09126, Chemnitz, Germany
- Material Systems for Nanoelectronics, Chemnitz University of Technology, 09126, Chemnitz, Germany
- European Centre for Living Technology (ECLT), Ca' Bottacin, Dorsoduro 3911, Venice, 30123, Italy
| | - Daniil Karnaushenko
- Research Center for Materials, Architectures and Integration of Nanomembranes (MAIN), Chemnitz University of Technology, 09126, Chemnitz, Germany
- Material Systems for Nanoelectronics, Chemnitz University of Technology, 09126, Chemnitz, Germany
| | - Minshen Zhu
- Research Center for Materials, Architectures and Integration of Nanomembranes (MAIN), Chemnitz University of Technology, 09126, Chemnitz, Germany
- Material Systems for Nanoelectronics, Chemnitz University of Technology, 09126, Chemnitz, Germany
| | - Oliver G Schmidt
- Research Center for Materials, Architectures and Integration of Nanomembranes (MAIN), Chemnitz University of Technology, 09126, Chemnitz, Germany
- Material Systems for Nanoelectronics, Chemnitz University of Technology, 09126, Chemnitz, Germany
- European Centre for Living Technology (ECLT), Ca' Bottacin, Dorsoduro 3911, Venice, 30123, Italy
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3
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Pathan S, Islam SS, Sen Gupta R, Maity B, Reddy PR, Mandal S, Anki Reddy K, Bose S. Fundamental Understanding of Ultrathin, Highly Stable Self-Assembled Liquid Crystalline Graphene Oxide Membranes Leading to Precise Molecular Sieving through Non-equilibrium Molecular Dynamics. ACS NANO 2023; 17:7272-7284. [PMID: 37036338 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.2c10300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Self-assembled graphene oxide lyotropic liquid crystal (GO LLC) structures are mostly formed in aqueous medium; however, most GO derivatives are water insoluble, so processing GO LLCs in water poses a practical limitation. The use of polar aprotic solvent (like dimethyl sulfoxide) for the formation of GO LLC structures would be interesting, because it would allow incorporating additives, like photoinitiators or cross-linkers, or blending with polymers that are insoluble in water, which hence would expand its scope. The well-balanced electrostatic interaction between DMSO and GO can promote and stabilize the GO nanosheets' alignment even at lower concentrations. With this in mind, herein we report mechanically robust, chlorine-tolerant, self-assembled nanostructured GO membranes for precise molecular sieving. Small-angle X-ray scattering and polarized optical microscopy confirmed the alignment of the modified GO nanosheets in polar aprotic solvent, and the LLC structure was effectively preserved even after cross-linking under UV light. We found that the modified GO membranes exhibited considerably improved salt rejection for monovalent ions (99%) and water flux (120 LMH) as compared to the shear-aligned GO membrane, which is well supported by forward osmosis simulation studies. Additionally, our simulation studies indicated that water molecules traveled a longer path while permeating through the GO membrane compared to the GO LLC membrane. Consequently, salt ions permeate slowly across the GO LLC membrane, yielding higher salt rejection than the GO membrane. This begins to suggest strong electrostatic repulsion with the salt ions, causing higher salt rejection in the GO LLC membrane. We foresee that the ordered cross-linked GO sheets contributed to excellent mechanical stability under a high-pressure, cross-flow, chlorine environment. Overall, these membranes are easily scalable, exhibit good mechanical stability, and represent a breakthrough for the potential use of polymerized GO LLC membranes in practical water remediation applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shabnam Pathan
- Department of Materials Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru-560012, India
| | - Sk Safikul Islam
- Department of Materials Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru-560012, India
| | - Ria Sen Gupta
- Department of Materials Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru-560012, India
| | - Barnali Maity
- Department of Materials Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru-560012, India
| | - P Rajasekhar Reddy
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati-781039, Assam, India
| | - Samir Mandal
- Department of Materials Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru-560012, India
| | - K Anki Reddy
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Tirupati, Tirupati-517619, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Suryasarathi Bose
- Department of Materials Engineering, Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru-560012, India
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4
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Aluru NR, Aydin F, Bazant MZ, Blankschtein D, Brozena AH, de Souza JP, Elimelech M, Faucher S, Fourkas JT, Koman VB, Kuehne M, Kulik HJ, Li HK, Li Y, Li Z, Majumdar A, Martis J, Misra RP, Noy A, Pham TA, Qu H, Rayabharam A, Reed MA, Ritt CL, Schwegler E, Siwy Z, Strano MS, Wang Y, Yao YC, Zhan C, Zhang Z. Fluids and Electrolytes under Confinement in Single-Digit Nanopores. Chem Rev 2023; 123:2737-2831. [PMID: 36898130 PMCID: PMC10037271 DOI: 10.1021/acs.chemrev.2c00155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
Abstract
Confined fluids and electrolyte solutions in nanopores exhibit rich and surprising physics and chemistry that impact the mass transport and energy efficiency in many important natural systems and industrial applications. Existing theories often fail to predict the exotic effects observed in the narrowest of such pores, called single-digit nanopores (SDNs), which have diameters or conduit widths of less than 10 nm, and have only recently become accessible for experimental measurements. What SDNs reveal has been surprising, including a rapidly increasing number of examples such as extraordinarily fast water transport, distorted fluid-phase boundaries, strong ion-correlation and quantum effects, and dielectric anomalies that are not observed in larger pores. Exploiting these effects presents myriad opportunities in both basic and applied research that stand to impact a host of new technologies at the water-energy nexus, from new membranes for precise separations and water purification to new gas permeable materials for water electrolyzers and energy-storage devices. SDNs also present unique opportunities to achieve ultrasensitive and selective chemical sensing at the single-ion and single-molecule limit. In this review article, we summarize the progress on nanofluidics of SDNs, with a focus on the confinement effects that arise in these extremely narrow nanopores. The recent development of precision model systems, transformative experimental tools, and multiscale theories that have played enabling roles in advancing this frontier are reviewed. We also identify new knowledge gaps in our understanding of nanofluidic transport and provide an outlook for the future challenges and opportunities at this rapidly advancing frontier.
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Affiliation(s)
- Narayana R Aluru
- Oden Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences, Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, 78712TexasUnited States
| | - Fikret Aydin
- Materials Science Division, Physical and Life Science Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California94550, United States
| | - Martin Z Bazant
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts02139, United States
- Department of Mathematics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts02139, United States
| | - Daniel Blankschtein
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts02139, United States
| | - Alexandra H Brozena
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland20742, United States
| | - J Pedro de Souza
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts02139, United States
| | - Menachem Elimelech
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut06520-8286, United States
| | - Samuel Faucher
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts02139, United States
| | - John T Fourkas
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland20742, United States
- Institute for Physical Science and Technology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland20742, United States
- Maryland NanoCenter, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland20742, United States
| | - Volodymyr B Koman
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts02139, United States
| | - Matthias Kuehne
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts02139, United States
| | - Heather J Kulik
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts02139, United States
| | - Hao-Kun Li
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California94305, United States
| | - Yuhao Li
- Materials Science Division, Physical and Life Science Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California94550, United States
| | - Zhongwu Li
- Materials Science Division, Physical and Life Science Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California94550, United States
| | - Arun Majumdar
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California94305, United States
| | - Joel Martis
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California94305, United States
| | - Rahul Prasanna Misra
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts02139, United States
| | - Aleksandr Noy
- Materials Science Division, Physical and Life Science Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California94550, United States
- School of Natural Sciences, University of California Merced, Merced, California95344, United States
| | - Tuan Anh Pham
- Materials Science Division, Physical and Life Science Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California94550, United States
| | - Haoran Qu
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland20742, United States
| | - Archith Rayabharam
- Oden Institute for Computational Engineering and Sciences, Walker Department of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, 78712TexasUnited States
| | - Mark A Reed
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Yale University, 15 Prospect Street, New Haven, Connecticut06520, United States
| | - Cody L Ritt
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut06520-8286, United States
| | - Eric Schwegler
- Materials Science Division, Physical and Life Science Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California94550, United States
| | - Zuzanna Siwy
- Department of Physics and Astronomy, Department of Chemistry, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of California, Irvine, Irvine92697, United States
| | - Michael S Strano
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts02139, United States
| | - YuHuang Wang
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland20742, United States
- Maryland NanoCenter, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland20742, United States
| | - Yun-Chiao Yao
- Materials Science Division, Physical and Life Science Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California94550, United States
- School of Natural Sciences, University of California Merced, Merced, California95344, United States
| | - Cheng Zhan
- Materials Science Division, Physical and Life Science Directorate, Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Livermore, California94550, United States
| | - Ze Zhang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Stanford University, Stanford, California94305, United States
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5
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Coceancigh H, Xue L, Nagasaka S, Higgins DA, Ito T. Solvent-Induced Swelling Behaviors of Microphase-Separated Polystyrene- block-Poly(ethylene oxide) Thin Films Investigated Using In Situ Spectroscopic Ellipsometry and Single-Molecule Fluorescence Microscopy. J Phys Chem B 2022; 126:8338-8349. [PMID: 36219821 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jpcb.2c05025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Block copolymers have attracted considerable interest in the fields of nanoscience and nanotechnology because these polymers afford well-defined nanostructures via self-assembly. An in-depth understanding of solvent effects on the physicochemical properties of these microdomains is crucial for their preparation and utilization. Herein, we employed in situ spectroscopic ellipsometry and single-molecule fluorescence techniques to gain detailed insights into microdomain properties in polystyrene-block-poly(ethylene oxide) (PS-b-PEO) films exposed to ethanol- and water-saturated N2. We observed a quick increase and a subsequent gradual decrease in the ellipsometric thickness of PS-b-PEO films upon exposure to ethanol-saturated N2. This observation was unexpected because ethanol-saturated N2 induced negligible thickness change for PS and PEO homopolymer films. The similarity in maximum thickness gain observed under ethanol- and water-saturated N2 implied the swelling of PEO microdomains. Ethanol vapor permeation through the PEO microdomains was supported by the redshift of the ensemble and single-molecule fluorescence emission of Nile red in PS-b-PEO films. Single-molecule tracking data showed the initial enhancement and subsequent reduction of the diffusion of hydrophilic sulforhodamine B molecules in PS-b-PEO films upon exposure to ethanol-saturated N2, consistent with the spectroscopic ellipsometry results. The higher ethanol susceptibility of the PEO microdomains was attributable to their amorphous nature, as shown by FTIR data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Herman Coceancigh
- Department of Chemistry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas66506-0401, United States
| | - Lianjie Xue
- Department of Chemistry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas66506-0401, United States
| | - Shinobu Nagasaka
- Department of Chemistry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas66506-0401, United States
| | - Daniel A Higgins
- Department of Chemistry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas66506-0401, United States
| | - Takashi Ito
- Department of Chemistry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, Kansas66506-0401, United States
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6
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Bouzit H, Krusch F, Hermida‐Merino D, Solano E, Cot D, Méricq JP, Roualdes S, Semsarilar M, Quémener D, Aissou K. Double s
timuli‐responsive
perforated lamellar structure formed by linear
ABC
triblock terpolymer monoliths. JOURNAL OF POLYMER SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.1002/pol.20220264] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hana Bouzit
- Institut Européen des Membranes, IEM, UMR 5635 University of Montpellier, ENSCM, CNRS Montpellier
| | - Felix Krusch
- Institut Européen des Membranes, IEM, UMR 5635 University of Montpellier, ENSCM, CNRS Montpellier
| | - Daniel Hermida‐Merino
- DUBBLE CRG BM26@ESRF Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research (NWO) Grenoble France
- Departamento de Física Aplicada, CINBIO Universidade de Vigo Vigo Galicia Spain
| | - Eduardo Solano
- ALBA Synchrotron Light Source NCD‐SWEET Beamline Cerdanyola del Valles Spain
| | - Didier Cot
- Institut Européen des Membranes, IEM, UMR 5635 University of Montpellier, ENSCM, CNRS Montpellier
| | - Jean Pierre Méricq
- Institut Européen des Membranes, IEM, UMR 5635 University of Montpellier, ENSCM, CNRS Montpellier
| | - Stéphanie Roualdes
- Institut Européen des Membranes, IEM, UMR 5635 University of Montpellier, ENSCM, CNRS Montpellier
| | - Mona Semsarilar
- Institut Européen des Membranes, IEM, UMR 5635 University of Montpellier, ENSCM, CNRS Montpellier
| | - Damien Quémener
- Institut Européen des Membranes, IEM, UMR 5635 University of Montpellier, ENSCM, CNRS Montpellier
| | - Karim Aissou
- Institut Européen des Membranes, IEM, UMR 5635 University of Montpellier, ENSCM, CNRS Montpellier
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7
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Weak Polyelectrolytes as Nanoarchitectonic Design Tools for Functional Materials: A Review of Recent Achievements. MOLECULES (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 27:molecules27103263. [PMID: 35630741 PMCID: PMC9145934 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27103263] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Revised: 05/13/2022] [Accepted: 05/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The ionization degree, charge density, and conformation of weak polyelectrolytes can be adjusted through adjusting the pH and ionic strength stimuli. Such polymers thus offer a range of reversible interactions, including electrostatic complexation, H-bonding, and hydrophobic interactions, which position weak polyelectrolytes as key nano-units for the design of dynamic systems with precise structures, compositions, and responses to stimuli. The purpose of this review article is to discuss recent examples of nanoarchitectonic systems and applications that use weak polyelectrolytes as smart components. Surface platforms (electrodeposited films, brushes), multilayers (coatings and capsules), processed polyelectrolyte complexes (gels and membranes), and pharmaceutical vectors from both synthetic or natural-type weak polyelectrolytes are discussed. Finally, the increasing significance of block copolymers with weak polyion blocks is discussed with respect to the design of nanovectors by micellization and film/membrane nanopatterning via phase separation.
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8
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Ye Q, Wang R, Chen C, Chen B, Zhu X. High-Flux pH-Responsive Ultrafiltration Membrane for Efficient Nanoparticle Fractionation. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2021; 13:56575-56583. [PMID: 34786948 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.1c16673] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Fractionation of nanoparticles with different sizes from the mixture by using a single membrane would reduce the membrane cost and enhance the efficiency. In this study, an amphiphilic pH-responsive copolymer was prepared by grafting a pH-responsive hydrophilic polymethacrylic acid (PMAA) side chain from a hydrophobic poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-chlorotrifluoroethylene), P(VDF-CTFE) backbone. Subsequently, the isoporous pH-responsive membranes (PPMs) were prepared from the functional copolymers with different PMAA chain lengths. PPM indicated reversible pore size decreasing with the increasing pH of the feed. Moreover, the membrane pore size variation range was further extended by adjusting the PMAA side chain length of the copolymer to reach a wide range from 10.2 to 34.5 nm. Owning to the amphiphilic nature of the copolymer, PPM showed a narrow pore size distribution which is responsible for the much higher pure water flux of PPM than the conventional UF membrane with similar retention capability. In the fractionation test, the mixed 20 and 30 nm polystyrene nanoparticles were penetrating PPM at pH 11 and 3, respectively. The pH-responsive PPM indicated great potential for nanoparticle fractionation, while the uniform pores of PPM further enhanced the membrane performance in terms of permeability and selectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qisheng Ye
- Department of Environmental Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Organic Pollution Process and Control, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Rui Wang
- Department of Environmental Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Organic Pollution Process and Control, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Cheng Chen
- Department of Environmental Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Organic Pollution Process and Control, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Baoliang Chen
- Department of Environmental Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Organic Pollution Process and Control, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Xiaoying Zhu
- Department of Environmental Science, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310058, China
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Organic Pollution Process and Control, Hangzhou 310058, China
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Kim S, Varga G, Seo M, Sápi A, Rácz V, Gómez-Pérez JF, Sebők D, Lee J, Kukovecz Á, Kónya Z. Nesting Well-Defined Pt Nanoparticles within a Hierarchically Porous Polymer as a Heterogeneous Suzuki–Miyaura Catalyst. ACS APPLIED NANO MATERIALS 2021. [DOI: 10.1021/acsanm.1c00396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Soobin Kim
- Department of Chemistry, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - Gábor Varga
- Department of Organic Chemistry, University of Szeged, Szeged H-6720, Hungary
| | - Myungeun Seo
- Department of Chemistry, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Korea
- KI for the Nanocentury, KAIST, 34141 Daejeon, Korea
| | - András Sápi
- Department of Applied and Environmental Chemistry, University of Szeged, Szeged H-6720, Hungary
| | - Viktória Rácz
- Department of Applied and Environmental Chemistry, University of Szeged, Szeged H-6720, Hungary
| | - Juan F. Gómez-Pérez
- Department of Applied and Environmental Chemistry, University of Szeged, Szeged H-6720, Hungary
| | - Dániel Sebők
- Department of Applied and Environmental Chemistry, University of Szeged, Szeged H-6720, Hungary
| | - Jeonghyeon Lee
- Department of Chemistry, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - Ákos Kukovecz
- Department of Applied and Environmental Chemistry, University of Szeged, Szeged H-6720, Hungary
| | - Zoltán Kónya
- Department of Applied and Environmental Chemistry, University of Szeged, Szeged H-6720, Hungary
- MTA-SZTE Reaction Kinetics and Surface Chemistry Research Group, Szeged H-6720, Hungary
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10
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Hampu N, Werber JR, Chan WY, Feinberg EC, Hillmyer MA. Next-Generation Ultrafiltration Membranes Enabled by Block Polymers. ACS NANO 2020; 14:16446-16471. [PMID: 33315381 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.0c07883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Reliable and equitable access to safe drinking water is a major and growing challenge worldwide. Membrane separations represent one of the most promising strategies for the energy-efficient purification of potential water sources. In particular, porous membranes are used for the ultrafiltration (UF) of water to remove contaminants with nanometric sizes. However, despite exhibiting excellent water permeability and solution processability, existing UF membranes contain a broad distribution of pore sizes that limit their size selectivity. To maximize the potential utility of UF membranes and allow for precise separations, improvements in the size selectivity of these systems must be achieved. Block polymers represent a potentially transformative solution, as these materials self-assemble into well-defined domains of uniform size. Several different strategies have been reported for integrating block polymers into UF membranes, and each strategy has its own set of materials and processing considerations to ensure that uniform and continuous pores are generated. This Review aims to summarize and critically analyze the chemistries, processing techniques, and properties required for the most common methods for producing porous membranes from block polymers, with a particular focus on the fundamental mechanisms underlying block polymer self-assembly and pore formation. Critical structure-property-performance metrics will be analyzed for block polymer UF membranes to understand how these membranes compare to commercial UF membranes and to identify key research areas for continued improvements. This Review is intended to inform readers of the capabilities and current challenges of block polymer UF membranes, while stimulating critical thought on strategies to advance these technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Hampu
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Jay R Werber
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Wui Yarn Chan
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Elizabeth C Feinberg
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Marc A Hillmyer
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
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11
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Bucher T, Clodt JI, Abetz C, Bajer B, Filiz V. Spraying of Ultrathin Isoporous Block Copolymer Membranes-A Story about Challenges and Limitations. MEMBRANES 2020; 10:E404. [PMID: 33297532 PMCID: PMC7762335 DOI: 10.3390/membranes10120404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Isoporous membranes can be prepared by a combination of self-assembly of amphiphilic block copolymers and the non-solvent induced phase separation process. As the general doctor-blade technique suffers from high consumption of expensive block copolymer, other methods to reduce its concentration in the casting solution are sought after. Decreasing the block copolymer concentration during membrane casting and applying the block copolymer solution on a support membrane to obtain ultrathin isoporous membrane layers with e.g., spraying techniques, can be an answer. In this work we focused on the question if upscaling of thin block copolymer membranes produced by spraying techniques is feasible. To upscale the spray coating process, three different approaches were pursued, namely air-brush, 1-fluid nozzles and 2-fluid nozzles as generally used in the coating industry. The different spraying systems were implemented successfully in a membrane casting machine. Thinking about future development of isoporous block copolymer membranes in application it was significant that a continuous preparation process can be realised combining spraying of thin layers and immersion of the thin block copolymer layers in water to ensure phase-separation. The system was tested using a solution of polystyrene-block-poly(4-vinylpyridine) diblock copolymer. A detailed examination of the spray pattern and its homogeneity was carried out. The limitations of this method are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Juliana Isabel Clodt
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht, Institute of Polymer Research, Max-Planck-Str. 1, 21502 Geesthacht, Germany; (T.B.); (C.A.); (B.B.); (V.F.)
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12
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Hampu N, Werber JR, Hillmyer MA. Co-Casting Highly Selective Dual-Layer Membranes with Disordered Block Polymer Selective Layers. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2020; 12:45351-45362. [PMID: 32986409 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c13726] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Highly selective and water permeable dual-layer ultrafiltration (UF) membranes comprising a disordered poly(methyl methacrylate-stat-styrene)-block-poly(lactide) selective layer and a polysulfone (PSF) support layer were fabricated using a co-casting technique. A dilute solution of diblock polymer was spin coated onto a solvent-swollen PSF layer, rapidly heated to dry and disorder the block polymer layer, and subsequently immersed into an ice water coagulation bath to kinetically trap the disordered state in the block polymer selective layer and precipitate the support layer by nonsolvent-induced phase separation. Subsequent removal of the polylactide block generated porous membranes suitable for UF. The permeability of these dual-layer membranes was modulated by tuning the concentration of the PSF casting solution, while the size-selectivity was maintained because of the narrow pore size distribution of the self-assembled block polymer selective layer. Elimination of the thermal annealing step resulted in a dramatic increase in the water permeability without adversely impacting the size-selectivity, as the disordered nanostructure present in the concentrated casting solution was kinetically trapped upon rapid drying. The co-casting strategy outlined in this work may enable the scalable fabrication of block polymer membranes with both high permeability and high selectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicholas Hampu
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Jay R Werber
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
| | - Marc A Hillmyer
- Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55455, United States
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13
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Hoffman JR, Phillip WA. 100th Anniversary of Macromolecular Science Viewpoint: Integrated Membrane Systems. ACS Macro Lett 2020; 9:1267-1279. [PMID: 35638635 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.0c00482] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Membranes fabricated from self-assembled materials are one recent example of how polymer science has been leveraged to advance membrane technology. Due to their well-defined nanostructures, the performance of membranes made from these materials is pushing the boundaries of size-selective filtration. Still, there remains a need for higher performance and more selective membranes. The advent of functional membrane platforms that rely on mechanisms beyond steric hindrance (e.g., charge-selective membranes and membrane sorbents) is one approach to realize improved solute-solute selectivity and further advance membrane technology. To date, the lab-scale demonstration of these platforms has often relied on fabrication schemes that require extended processing times. However, in order to translate lab-scale demonstrations to larger-scale implementation, it is critical that the rate of the functionalization scheme is reconciled with membrane manufacturing rates. In this viewpoint, it is postulated that substrates lined by reactive moieties that are amenable to postfabrication modification would enable the production of membranes with controlled nanostructures while providing access to a diverse array of pore wall chemistries. A comparison of reaction and manufacturing rates suggests that mechanisms that exhibit second-order reaction rate constants of at least 1 M-1 s-1 are needed for roll-to-roll processing. Furthermore, for mechanisms that exhibit rate constants greater than 300 M-1 s-1, it may be possible to integrate multiple functional domains over the membrane surface such that useful properties emerge. These multifunctional systems can expand the capabilities of membranes when the patterned chemistries interact at the heterojunctions between domains (e.g., Janus and charge-patterned mosaic membranes) or if they exhibit cooperative responses to external operating conditions (e.g., membrane pumps).
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Affiliation(s)
- John R. Hoffman
- 205 McCourtney Hall, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
| | - William A. Phillip
- 205 McCourtney Hall, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
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14
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Moon JD, Freeman BD, Hawker CJ, Segalman RA. Can Self-Assembly Address the Permeability/Selectivity Trade-Offs in Polymer Membranes? Macromolecules 2020. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.0c01111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
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15
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Hoffman JR, Phillip WA. Dual-Functional Nanofiltration Membranes Exhibit Multifaceted Ion Rejection and Antifouling Performance. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2020; 12:19944-19954. [PMID: 32255608 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c03075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Charged functional groups are often incorporated onto the surface of nanofiltration (NF) membranes to facilitate the selective rejection of multivalent ions over monovalent ions. However, since fouling-resistant surfaces tend to be electrically neutral, the incorporation of charged functionality exacerbates membrane fouling. Multifunctional Janus membrane architectures, which incorporate chemically distinct domains over their cross section, provide a strategy for balancing the competing demands associated with making fouling-resistant, ion rejecting NF membranes. Here, through the controlled exposure of poly(trifluoroethyl methacrylate-co-oligo-(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate-co-(3-azido-2-hydroxypropyl methacrylate)) copolymer substrates to a series of reactive solutions containing alkyne-terminated molecules, the process for creating dual-functional membranes by using the copper(I)-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) reaction was analyzed. Under the appropriate conditions, the CuAAC reaction propagates into the copolymer substrate as a front. This phenomenon results in a process for creating layered domains of distinct functionality whereby the distribution of antifouling zwitterionic moieties and ion rejecting sulfonate moieties can be modified by manipulating the exposure time. The ion rejection and fouling propensity for a family of dual-functional membranes was examined. For short initial reaction times, which introduced a thin antifouling layer on top of an ion rejection layer, the rejection of 1 mM K2SO4, 87%, was comparable to the value for full charge control membranes, 90%. Moreover, when exposed to a fouling solution containing bovine serum albumin (BSA), these dual-functional membranes exhibited an 18% decline in normalized flux and recovered 99% of their flux upon rinsing with water. In comparison, the full charge membranes exhibited a 44% decline in normalized flux and recovered 65% of their flux upon washing. As such, the results demonstrate that the controlled functionalization process reported here is capable of balancing antifouling and ion rejection capabilities. Furthermore, the versatile nature of the click chemistry mechanism at the center of this process offers a means by which to design and fabricate multifunctional membranes for numerous future applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- John R Hoffman
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame, 205 McCourtney Hall, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
| | - William A Phillip
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame, 205 McCourtney Hall, Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
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16
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Zhou J, Wang Y. Selective Swelling of Block Copolymers: An Upscalable Greener Process to Ultrafiltration Membranes? Macromolecules 2019. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.9b01747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Jiemei Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211816, P. R. China
| | - Yong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Materials-Oriented Chemical Engineering, College of Chemical Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 211816, P. R. China
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17
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Mondal S, Griffiths IM, Ramon GZ. Forefronts in structure–performance models of separation membranes. J Memb Sci 2019. [DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2019.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2022]
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18
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Bar C, Çağlar N, Uz M, Mallapragada SK, Altinkaya SA. Development of a High-Flux Thin-Film Composite Nanofiltration Membrane with Sub-Nanometer Selectivity Using a pH and Temperature-Responsive Pentablock Co-Polymer. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2019; 11:31367-31377. [PMID: 31424905 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.9b10273] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Producing block co-polymer-based nanofiltration (NF) membranes with sharp molecular weight cutoffs via an efficient method exhibiting persistent size-based separation quality is challenging. In this study, this challenge was addressed by reporting a facile approach to fabricate pentablock co-polymer (PBC)-based thin-film composite (TFC) NF membranes. The PBC, consisting of temperature-responsive Pluronic F127 (PEO-b-PPO-b-PEO) middle blocks and pH-responsive poly(N,N-(diethylamino)ethyl methacrylate) end blocks, were synthesized by atom-transfer radical polymerization. This polymer was then attached electrostatically to the surface of polysulfone/sulfonated polyether-sulfone support membranes fabricated using a non-solvent-induced phase separation technique. The conformational changes of the PBC chains in response to pH and temperature determined the pure water flux and neutral solute (PEG 1000) rejection performance of TFC membranes. Permeability of the membranes increased from 13.0 ± 0.63 to 15.9 ± 0.06 L/m2·h·bar and from 6.7 ± 0.00 to 13.9 ± 0.07 L/m2·h·bar by changing the solution pH from 4 to 8.5 and temperature from 4 to 25 °C, respectively. The pH- and temperature-responsive conformational changes did not affect the PEG 1000 rejection and membrane pore radius, which remained constant at ∼89% and ∼0.9 nm, respectively. This important finding was attributed to the high grafting density of co-polymer chains, resulting in spatial limitations among the grafted chains. The pore size of ∼0.9 nm achieved with the proposed membrane design is the smallest size reported so far for membranes fabricated from block co-polymers. TFC membranes demonstrated high stability and maintained their flux and rejection values under both static (storage in an acidic solution for up to 1 month) and dynamic (filtering PEG 1000 solution over 1 week) conditions. Pentablock co-polymers enable a NF membrane with a sharp molecular weight cutoff suitable for size-selective separations. The membrane fabrication technique proposed in this study is a scalable and promising alternative that does not involve complex synthetic routes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Canbike Bar
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering , Izmir Institute of Technology , Gulbahce Campus , Urla, Izmir 35430 , Turkey
| | - Nağahan Çağlar
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering , Izmir Institute of Technology , Gulbahce Campus , Urla, Izmir 35430 , Turkey
| | - Metin Uz
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering , Iowa State University , 2114 Sweeney Hall , Ames , Iowa 50011 , United States
| | - Surya K Mallapragada
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering , Iowa State University , 2114 Sweeney Hall , Ames , Iowa 50011 , United States
| | - Sacide Alsoy Altinkaya
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering , Izmir Institute of Technology , Gulbahce Campus , Urla, Izmir 35430 , Turkey
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19
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Aissou K, Mumtaz M, Demazy N, Pécastaings G, Fleury G, Hadziioannou G. Periodic Bicontinuous Structures Formed on the Top Surface of Asymmetric Triblock Terpolymer Thick Films. ACS Macro Lett 2019; 8:923-930. [PMID: 35619498 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.9b00403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
The combination of the nonsolvent-induced phase separation (NIPS) process with a solvent vapor annealing (SVA) treatment is used to produce asymmetric and hydrophobic thick films having different long-range ordered network nanostructures, which are inaccessible via currently available membrane fabrication methods. We show that the disordered phase generated by NIPS on the material top surface can be transformed into a highly ordered bicontinuous network nanostructure during the SVA process without disrupting the substructure morphology. For instance, by using a straightforward blending approach, either a triply periodic alternating diamond (DA) structure or a core-shell perforated lamellar (PL) phase was demonstrated on the skin layer of fully hydrophobic poly(1,1-dimethyl silacyclobutane)-block-polystyrene-block-poly(methyl methacrylate) (PDMSB-b-PS-b-PMMA) thick films. Such a material fabrication method, enabling the formation of a sponge-like substructure topped by a network phase having an excellent long-range order, provides an appealing strategy to facilitate the manufacture of next-generation membranes at large scale since these bicontinuous morphologies obviate the need of the nanochannel alignment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karim Aissou
- Institut Européen des Membranes, Université de Montpellier - CNRS - ENSCM, 300 Avenue du Professeur Emile Jeanbrau, F-34090 Montpellier, France
| | - Muhammad Mumtaz
- Laboratoire de Chimie des Polymères Organiques, Université Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, LCPO, UMR 5629, F-33600 Pessac, France
| | - Nils Demazy
- Laboratoire de Chimie des Polymères Organiques, Université Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, LCPO, UMR 5629, F-33600 Pessac, France
| | - Gilles Pécastaings
- Laboratoire de Chimie des Polymères Organiques, Université Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, LCPO, UMR 5629, F-33600 Pessac, France
| | - Guillaume Fleury
- Laboratoire de Chimie des Polymères Organiques, Université Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, LCPO, UMR 5629, F-33600 Pessac, France
| | - Georges Hadziioannou
- Laboratoire de Chimie des Polymères Organiques, Université Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, LCPO, UMR 5629, F-33600 Pessac, France
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20
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Aissou K, Mumtaz M, Bouzit H, Pécastaings G, Portale G, Fleury G, Hadziioannou G. Bicontinuous Network Nanostructure with Tunable Thickness Formed on Asymmetric Triblock Terpolymer Thick Films. Macromolecules 2019. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.9b00572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Karim Aissou
- Institut Européen des Membranes, Université de Montpellier—CNRS—ENSCM, 300 Avenue du Professeur Emile Jeanbrau, F-34090 Montpellier, France
| | - Muhammad Mumtaz
- Laboratoire de Chimie des Polymères Organiques, Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, LCPO, UMR 5629, F-33600 Pessac, France
| | - Hana Bouzit
- Institut Européen des Membranes, Université de Montpellier—CNRS—ENSCM, 300 Avenue du Professeur Emile Jeanbrau, F-34090 Montpellier, France
| | - Gilles Pécastaings
- Laboratoire de Chimie des Polymères Organiques, Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, LCPO, UMR 5629, F-33600 Pessac, France
| | - Giuseppe Portale
- Macromolecular Chemistry & New Polymeric Materials, Zernike Institute for Advanced Materials, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 4, 9747 AG, The Netherlands
| | - Guillaume Fleury
- Laboratoire de Chimie des Polymères Organiques, Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, LCPO, UMR 5629, F-33600 Pessac, France
| | - Georges Hadziioannou
- Laboratoire de Chimie des Polymères Organiques, Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, LCPO, UMR 5629, F-33600 Pessac, France
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21
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Schöttner S, Brodrecht M, Uhlein E, Dietz C, Breitzke H, Tietze AA, Buntkowsky G, Gallei M. Amine-Containing Block Copolymers for the Bottom-Up Preparation of Functional Porous Membranes. Macromolecules 2019. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.8b02758] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - Martin Brodrecht
- Eduard-Zintl-Institute of Inorganic and Physical Chemistry, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Alarich-Weiss-Str. 8, D-64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | | | - Christian Dietz
- Institute of Materials Science, Physics of Surfaces, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Alarich-Weiss-Str. 2, D-64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Hergen Breitzke
- Eduard-Zintl-Institute of Inorganic and Physical Chemistry, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Alarich-Weiss-Str. 8, D-64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Alesia A. Tietze
- Department of Chemistry and Molecular Biology, Wallenberg Centre for Molecular and Translational Medicine, University of Gothenburg, Kemigården 4, 412 96 Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Gerd Buntkowsky
- Eduard-Zintl-Institute of Inorganic and Physical Chemistry, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Alarich-Weiss-Str. 8, D-64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Markus Gallei
- Organic Macromolecular Chemistry, Saarland University, Campus Saarbrücken C4.2, D-66123 Saarbrücken, Germany
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22
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Rokhlenko Y, Moschovas D, Miskaki C, Chan EP, Avgeropoulos A, Osuji CO. Creating Aligned Nanopores by Magnetic Field Processing of Block Copolymer/Homopolymer Blends. ACS Macro Lett 2019; 8:261-266. [PMID: 35650826 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.9b00043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
We describe the phase behavior of a cylinder-forming block copolymer (BCP)/homopolymer blend and the generation of aligned nanopores by a combination of magnetic field alignment and selective removal of the minority-block-miscible homopolymer. Alignment is achieved by cooling through the order-disorder transition temperature (Todt) in a 6 T field. The system is a blend of poly(styrene-block-4-vinylpyridine) (PS-b-P4VP) and poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). PEG is miscible with P4VP and partitions preferentially into the cylindrical microdomains. Calorimetry and X-ray scattering show that Todt decreases linearly with PEG concentration until the onset of macrophase separation, inferred by PEG crystallization. Beyond this point, Todt is invariant with PEG content. Increasing PEG molar mass decreases the concentration at which macrophase separation is observed. Nanopore formation is confirmed by dye uptake experiments that show a clear dependence of dye uptake on PEG content before removal. We anticipate that this strategy can be extended to other BCP/homopolymer blends to produce nanoporous materials with reliable control of pore alignment and effective pore dimensions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yekaterina Rokhlenko
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Dimitrios Moschovas
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Christina Miskaki
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Edwin P. Chan
- Materials Science and Engineering Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, Maryland 20899, United States
| | - Apostolos Avgeropoulos
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece
| | - Chinedum O. Osuji
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19104, United States
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23
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Zhou HJ, Yang GW, Zhang YY, Xu ZK, Wu GP. Bioinspired Block Copolymer for Mineralized Nanoporous Membrane. ACS NANO 2018; 12:11471-11480. [PMID: 30380839 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.8b06521] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Homoporous membranes fabricated by self-assembled block copolymers (BCPs) have gained growing attention for their easy availability of well-ordered nanostructures for precise separation. However, it remains a challenges to improve the mechanical integrity, hydrophilic properties, and pore functionalities of the existing systems. To this end, we report an organic-mineral composite hybrid nanoporous BCP membrane with attractive superhydrophilicity, mechanical stability, and fouling-resistance derived from a bioinspired block copolymer, poly(propylene carbonate)- block-poly(4-vinylcatechol acetonide) (PPC- b-PVCA). The key advances include the following. (1) The PPC minor block is qualified as sacrificial domain because of its alkali sensitivity for generating monodisperse nanopores. (2) The PVCA matrix block contains the catechol groups, which enables the formation of inorganic layer via a biomineralization process, thus producing an organic-mineral composite nanoporous BCP membrane with attractive superhydrophilicity, mechanical stability, and fouling resistance. A ∼200 nm thickness BCP film with monodisperse through-pores of 12 nm diameter cylinders oriented perpendicularly to a supporting microfiltration membrane is fabricated by sequential blade-casting, solvent annealing, hydrolysis sacrificial block, and biomineralization process. The mechanical stability, high water flow (114 L m-2 h-1 bar-1), size fractionation of nanoparticles, as well as protein antiadsorption performance make the strategy provided here hold the promise of affording an advance platform for filtration, catalysis, and drug delivery.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui-Jun Zhou
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, and Key Laboratory of Adsorption and Separation Materials & Technologies of Zhejiang Province, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering , Zhejiang University , Hangzhou 310027 , China
| | - Guan-Wen Yang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, and Key Laboratory of Adsorption and Separation Materials & Technologies of Zhejiang Province, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering , Zhejiang University , Hangzhou 310027 , China
| | - Yao-Yao Zhang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, and Key Laboratory of Adsorption and Separation Materials & Technologies of Zhejiang Province, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering , Zhejiang University , Hangzhou 310027 , China
| | - Zhi-Kang Xu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, and Key Laboratory of Adsorption and Separation Materials & Technologies of Zhejiang Province, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering , Zhejiang University , Hangzhou 310027 , China
| | - Guang-Peng Wu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Macromolecular Synthesis and Functionalization, and Key Laboratory of Adsorption and Separation Materials & Technologies of Zhejiang Province, Department of Polymer Science and Engineering , Zhejiang University , Hangzhou 310027 , China
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24
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Coceancigh H, Higgins DA, Ito T. Optical Microscopic Techniques for Synthetic Polymer Characterization. Anal Chem 2018; 91:405-424. [PMID: 30350610 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.8b04694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Herman Coceancigh
- Department of Chemistry , Kansas State University , 213 CBC Building , Manhattan , Kansas 66506-0401 , United States
| | - Daniel A Higgins
- Department of Chemistry , Kansas State University , 213 CBC Building , Manhattan , Kansas 66506-0401 , United States
| | - Takashi Ito
- Department of Chemistry , Kansas State University , 213 CBC Building , Manhattan , Kansas 66506-0401 , United States
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25
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Sankhala K, Koll J, Abetz V. Setting the Stage for Fabrication of Self-Assembled Structures in Compact Geometries: Inside-Out Isoporous Hollow Fiber Membranes. ACS Macro Lett 2018; 7:840-845. [PMID: 35650757 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.8b00402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Fabrication of evaporation-induced self-assembled structures on easily accessible surfaces is an established strategy, while achieving such microphase-separated structures in compact geometries has been a long-standing goal. The requirement of comparatively less concentrated block copolymer (BCP) solution to pass through the compact geometries significantly reduces the stimulations required for self-assembly. The high polymer relaxation rates and decreased thermodynamic driving forces, as well as high capillary suction of dilute solutions in the porous substrates, complicates the BCP self-assembly and fabrication of the uniform coated layer, respectively. In this study, highly permeable robust poly(ether sulfone) hollow fiber membranes (PES HFM) with an inner diameter of approximately 1 mm are selected as compact geometries, and the isoporous structures are developed on top of ≤10 μm thin coated layer. This fabrication process introduces a technologically favored inside-out configuration for isoporous composite HFM with large bore diameters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirti Sankhala
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht, Institute of Polymer Research, Max-Planck-Strasse 1, 21502 Geesthacht, Germany
| | - Joachim Koll
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht, Institute of Polymer Research, Max-Planck-Strasse 1, 21502 Geesthacht, Germany
| | - Volker Abetz
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht, Institute of Polymer Research, Max-Planck-Strasse 1, 21502 Geesthacht, Germany
- University of Hamburg, Institute of Physical Chemistry, Martin-Luther-King-Platz 6, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
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26
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Sadeghi I, Kronenberg J, Asatekin A. Selective Transport through Membranes with Charged Nanochannels Formed by Scalable Self-Assembly of Random Copolymer Micelles. ACS NANO 2018; 12:95-108. [PMID: 29205035 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.7b07596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
Membranes that can separate compounds based on molecular properties can revolutionize the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. This study reports membranes capable of separating organic molecules of similar size based on their electrostatic charge. These membranes feature a network of carboxylate-functionalized 1-3 nm nanochannels, manufactured by a simple, scalable coating process: a porous support is coated with a packed array of polymer micelles in alcohol, formed by the self-assembly of a water-insoluble random copolymer with fluorinated and carboxyl functional repeat units. The interstices between these micelles serve as charged nanochannels through which water and solutes can pass. The negatively charged carboxylate groups lead to high separation selectivities between organic solutes of similar size but different charge. In single-solute diffusion experiments, neutral solutes permeate up to 263 times faster than negatively charged compounds of similar size. This selectivity is further enhanced in experiments with mixtures of these solutes. No permeation of the anionic compound was observed for over 24 h. In filtration experiments, these membranes separate anionic and neutral organic compounds while exhibiting water fluxes comparable to that of commercial membranes. Furthermore, carboxylate groups can be functionalized, creating membranes with nanopores with customizable functionality to enable a broad range of selective separations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilin Sadeghi
- Chemical and Biological Engineering Department, Tufts University , Medford, Massachusetts 02155, United States
| | - Jacob Kronenberg
- Chemical and Biological Engineering Department, Tufts University , Medford, Massachusetts 02155, United States
| | - Ayse Asatekin
- Chemical and Biological Engineering Department, Tufts University , Medford, Massachusetts 02155, United States
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27
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Straub AP, Elimelech M. Energy Efficiency and Performance Limiting Effects in Thermo-Osmotic Energy Conversion from Low-Grade Heat. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2017; 51:12925-12937. [PMID: 29022347 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.7b02213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
Low-grade heat energy from sources below 100 °C is available in massive quantities around the world, but cannot be converted to electricity effectively using existing technologies due to variability in the heat output and the small temperature difference between the source and environment. The recently developed thermo-osmotic energy conversion (TOEC) process has the potential to harvest energy from low-grade heat sources by using a temperature difference to create a pressurized liquid flux across a membrane, which can be converted to mechanical work via a turbine. In this study, we perform the first analysis of energy efficiency and the expected performance of the TOEC technology, focusing on systems utilizing hydrophobic porous vapor-gap membranes and water as a working fluid. We begin by developing a framework to analyze realistic mass and heat transport in the process, probing the impact of various membrane parameters and system operating conditions. Our analysis reveals that an optimized system can achieve heat-to-electricity energy conversion efficiencies up to 4.1% (34% of the Carnot efficiency) with hot and cold working temperatures of 60 and 20 °C, respectively, and an operating pressure of 5 MPa (50 bar). Lower energy efficiencies, however, will occur in systems operating with high power densities (>5 W/m2) and with finite-sized heat exchangers. We identify that the most important membrane properties for achieving high performance are an asymmetric pore structure, high pressure resistance, a high porosity, and a thickness of 30 to 100 μm. We also quantify the benefits in performance from utilizing deaerated water streams, strong hydrodynamic mixing in the membrane module, and high heat exchanger efficiencies. Overall, our study demonstrates the promise of full-scale TOEC systems to extract energy from low-grade heat and identifies key factors for performance optimization moving forward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony P Straub
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University , P.O. Box 208286, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8286, United States
| | - Menachem Elimelech
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University , P.O. Box 208286, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8286, United States
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28
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Stevens DM, Shu JY, Reichert M, Roy A. Next-Generation Nanoporous Materials: Progress and Prospects for Reverse Osmosis and Nanofiltration. Ind Eng Chem Res 2017. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.iecr.7b02411] [Citation(s) in RCA: 76] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Derek M. Stevens
- Dow Water and Process Solutions, 7600 Metro Boulevard, Edina, Minnesota 55439, United States
| | - Jessica Y. Shu
- Dow Water and Process Solutions, 7600 Metro Boulevard, Edina, Minnesota 55439, United States
| | - Matthew Reichert
- Dow Water and Process Solutions, 7600 Metro Boulevard, Edina, Minnesota 55439, United States
| | - Abhishek Roy
- Dow Water and Process Solutions, 7600 Metro Boulevard, Edina, Minnesota 55439, United States
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29
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Sargent JL, Hoss DJ, Phillip WA, Boudouris BW. Solution self‐assembly behavior of
A
‐
B
‐
C
triblock polymers and the implications for nanoporous membrane fabrication. J Appl Polym Sci 2017. [DOI: 10.1002/app.45531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jessica L. Sargent
- Charles D. Davidson School of Chemical EngineeringPurdue UniversityWest Lafayette Indiana47907
| | - Darby J. Hoss
- Charles D. Davidson School of Chemical EngineeringPurdue UniversityWest Lafayette Indiana47907
| | - William A. Phillip
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular EngineeringUniversity of Notre DameNotre Dame Indiana46556
| | - Bryan W. Boudouris
- Charles D. Davidson School of Chemical EngineeringPurdue UniversityWest Lafayette Indiana47907
- Department of ChemistryPurdue UniversityWest Lafayette Indiana47907
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30
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Zhang Y, Mulvenna RA, Qu S, Boudouris BW, Phillip WA. Block Polymer Membranes Functionalized with Nanoconfined Polyelectrolyte Brushes Achieve Sub-Nanometer Selectivity. ACS Macro Lett 2017; 6:726-732. [PMID: 35650852 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.7b00278] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The well-defined nanostructure of membranes manufactured from self-assembled block polymers enables highly selective separations; however, recent efforts to push the pore size of block polymer-based membranes to the lower end of the size spectrum have only been moderately successful for a variety of reasons. For instance, the conformational changes of the stimuli-responsive functional groups lining the pore walls of some block polymer membranes result in varied pore sizes that limit their operational range. Here, we overcome this challenge through the directed design of the third moiety of an A-B-C triblock polymer. The use of this macromolecular design paradigm allows for the preparation of a 500 nm thick polyisoprene-b-polystyrene-b-poly(2-acrylamido-ethane-1,1-disfulonic acid) (PI-PS-PADSA) coating atop a hollow fiber membrane support. This nanoporous test bed, which exhibits an average pore radius of 1 nm, demonstrates an extremely high solute selectivity by fully gating solutes that have only an 8 Å size difference, a separation that is based solely on a sieving mechanism. Furthermore, the nanoscale structural characteristics of the solvated PADSA pore walls are elucidated by quantifying the rejection of neutral solutes and calculating the hydraulic permeability values in solutions of high ionic strength (1 mM ≤ I ≤ 3 M) and over a broad range of solution pH (1 ≤ pH ≤ 13). These key results provide a solid foundation for defining structure-property-performance relationships in the emerging area of nanoporous triblock polymer thin films. Moreover, the successful demonstration of the test bed separation device offers a tangible means by which to manufacture next-generation nanofiltration membranes that require a robust performance profile over a dynamic range of conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yizhou Zhang
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre
Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
| | | | - Siyi Qu
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre
Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
| | | | - William A. Phillip
- Department
of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame, Notre
Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
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31
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Weidman JL, Mulvenna RA, Boudouris BW, Phillip WA. Nanoporous Block Polymer Thin Films Functionalized with Bio-Inspired Ligands for the Efficient Capture of Heavy Metal Ions from Water. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2017; 9:19152-19160. [PMID: 28521089 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.7b04603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Heavy metal contamination of water supplies poses a serious threat to public health, prompting the development of novel and sustainable treatment technologies. One promising approach is to molecularly engineer the chemical affinity of a material for the targeted removal of specific molecules from solution. In this work, nanoporous polymer thin films generated from tailor-made block polymers were functionalized with the bio-inspired moieties glutathione and cysteamine for the removal of heavy metal ions, including lead and cadmium, from aqueous solutions. In a single equilibrium stage, the films achieved removal rates of the ions in excess of 95%, which was consistent with predictions based on the engineered material properties. In a flow-through configuration, the thin films achieved an even greater removal rate of the metal ions. Furthermore, in mixed ion solutions the capacity of the thin films, and corresponding removal rates, did not demonstrate any reduction due to competitive adsorption effects. After such experiments the material was repeatedly regenerated quickly with no observed loss in capacity. Thus, these membranes provide a sustainable platform for the efficient purification of lead- and cadmium-contaminated water sources to safe levels. Moreover, their straightforward chemical modifications suggest that they could be engineered to treat sources containing other recalcitrant environmental contaminants as well.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob L Weidman
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame , Notre Dame, Indiana 46556-5637, United States
| | | | | | - William A Phillip
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame , Notre Dame, Indiana 46556-5637, United States
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32
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Sharma PP, Gahlot S, Kulshrestha V. One Pot Synthesis of PVDF Based Copolymer Proton Conducting Membrane by Free Radical Polymerization for Electro-Chemical Energy Applications. Colloids Surf A Physicochem Eng Asp 2017. [DOI: 10.1016/j.colsurfa.2017.01.088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
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33
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Feng X, Kawabata K, Kaufman G, Elimelech M, Osuji CO. Highly Selective Vertically Aligned Nanopores in Sustainably Derived Polymer Membranes by Molecular Templating. ACS NANO 2017; 11:3911-3921. [PMID: 28301721 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.7b00304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
We describe a combination of molecular templating and directed self-assembly to realize highly selective vertically aligned nanopores in polymer membranes using sustainably derived materials. The approach exploits a structure-directing molecule to template the assembly of plant-derived fatty acids into highly ordered columnar mesophases. Directed self-assembly using physical confinement and magnetic fields provides vertical alignment of the columnar nanostructures in large area (several cm2) thin films. Chemically cross-linking the mesophase with added conventional vinyl comonomers and removing the molecular template results in a mechanically robust polymer film with vertically aligned 1.2-1.5 nm diameter nanopores with a large specific surface area of ∼670 m2/g. The nanoporous polymer films display exceptional size and charge selectivity as demonstrated by adsorption experiments using model penetrant molecules. These materials have significant potential to function as high-performance nanofiltration membranes and as nanoporous thin films for high-density lithographic pattern transfer. The scalability of the fabrication process suggests that practical applications can be reasonably anticipated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xunda Feng
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University , New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Kohsuke Kawabata
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University , New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Gilad Kaufman
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University , New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Menachem Elimelech
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University , New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
| | - Chinedum O Osuji
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Yale University , New Haven, Connecticut 06511, United States
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34
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Bhattacharjee S, Lugger JAM, Sijbesma RP. Tailoring Pore Size and Chemical Interior of near 1 nm Sized Pores in a Nanoporous Polymer Based on a Discotic Liquid Crystal. Macromolecules 2017; 50:2777-2783. [PMID: 28416888 PMCID: PMC5391558 DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.7b00013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2017] [Revised: 03/06/2017] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
A triazine based disc shaped molecule with two hydrolyzable units, imine and ester groups, was polymerized via acyclic diene metathesis in the columnar hexagonal (Colhex) LC phase. Fabrication of a cationic nanoporous polymer (pore diameter ∼1.3 nm) lined with ammonium groups at the pore surface was achieved by hydrolysis of the imine linkage. Size selective aldehyde uptake by the cationic porous polymer was demonstrated. The anilinium groups in the pores were converted to azide as well as phenyl groups by further chemical treatment, leading to porous polymers with neutral functional groups in the pores. The pores were enlarged by further hydrolysis of the ester groups to create ∼2.6 nm pores lined with -COONa surface groups. The same pores could be obtained in a single step without first hydrolyzing the imine linkage. XRD studies demonstrated that the Colhex order of the monomer was preserved after polymerization as well as in both the nanoporous polymers. The porous anionic polymer lined with -COOH groups was further converted to the -COOLi, -COONa, -COOK, -COOCs, and -COONH4 salts. The porous polymer lined with -COONa groups selectively adsorbs a cationic dye, methylene blue, over an anionic dye.
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Affiliation(s)
- Subham Bhattacharjee
- Laboratory
of Molecular Science and Technology and Institute for Complex Molecular
Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, PO Box 513, 5600 MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Jody A. M. Lugger
- Laboratory
of Molecular Science and Technology and Institute for Complex Molecular
Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, PO Box 513, 5600 MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
| | - Rint P. Sijbesma
- Laboratory
of Molecular Science and Technology and Institute for Complex Molecular
Systems, Eindhoven University of Technology, PO Box 513, 5600 MB, Eindhoven, The Netherlands
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35
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36
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Schöttner S, Schaffrath HJ, Gallei M. Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)-Based Amphiphilic Block Copolymers for High Water Flux Membranes and Ceramic Templates. Macromolecules 2016. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.6b01803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Sebastian Schöttner
- Ernst-Berl-Institute
for Chemical Engineering and Macromolecular Science, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Alarich-Weiss-Str. 4, D-64287 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Heinz-Joachim Schaffrath
- Paper
Technology and Mechanical Process Engineering, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Alexander-Str. 8, D-64283 Darmstadt, Germany
| | - Markus Gallei
- Ernst-Berl-Institute
for Chemical Engineering and Macromolecular Science, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Alarich-Weiss-Str. 4, D-64287 Darmstadt, Germany
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37
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Polovnikov KE, Gumerov RA, Potemkin II. Stress-Induced Solvent Redistribution in Lamellae-Forming Diblock Copolymer Systems. Macromolecules 2016. [DOI: 10.1021/acs.macromol.6b01301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Kirill E. Polovnikov
- Physics
Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119991, Russian Federation
| | - Rustam A. Gumerov
- Physics
Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119991, Russian Federation
| | - Igor I. Potemkin
- Physics
Department, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow 119991, Russian Federation
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38
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Gao P, Hunter A, Summe MJ, Phillip WA. A Method for the Efficient Fabrication of Multifunctional Mosaic Membranes by Inkjet Printing. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2016; 8:19772-19779. [PMID: 27409714 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.6b06048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Most conventional membrane systems are based on size-selective materials that permeate smaller molecules and retain larger ones. However, membranes that can permeate larger molecules more rapidly than smaller ones could find widespread utilization in multiple arenas of technology. Charge mosaic membranes are one example of such a system. Due to their unique nanostructure, which consists of discrete oppositely charged domains, charge mosaics are capable of permeating large dissolved salts more rapidly than smaller water molecules. Here, we present a combined inkjet printing and template synthesis technique to prepare charge mosaic membranes in a rapid and straightforward manner and demonstrate the unique transport properties that result from the mosaic membrane design. Poly(vinyl alcohol)-based composite inks containing poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) or poly(sodium 4-styrenesulfonate) were used to pattern positively charged or negatively charged domains, respectively, on the surface of a polycarbonate track-etched membrane with 30 nm pores. The ability to control the net surface charge of the mosaic membranes through the rational deposition of oppositely charged materials was demonstrated and confirmed through nanostructural characterization, electrokinetic measurements, and piezodialysis experiments. Namely, mosaic membranes that possessed an overall neutral charge (i.e., membranes that had equal coverage of positively and negatively charged domains) were capable of enriching the concentration of potassium chloride in the solution that permeated through the membrane. These membranes can be deployed in the many established and emerging nanoscale technologies that rely on the selective transport and separation of ionic solutes from solution. Furthermore, because of the flexibility provided by the membrane fabrication platform, the efforts reported in this work can be extended to other mosaic designs with myriad other functional components.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peng Gao
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame , Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
| | - Aaron Hunter
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame , Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
| | - Mark J Summe
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame , Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
| | - William A Phillip
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame , Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
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39
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Rudolph T, Schacher FH. Selective crosslinking or addressing of individual domains within block copolymer nanostructures. Eur Polym J 2016. [DOI: 10.1016/j.eurpolymj.2016.03.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
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40
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Weidman JL, Mulvenna RA, Boudouris BW, Phillip WA. Unusually Stable Hysteresis in the pH-Response of Poly(Acrylic Acid) Brushes Confined within Nanoporous Block Polymer Thin Films. J Am Chem Soc 2016; 138:7030-9. [PMID: 27172428 DOI: 10.1021/jacs.6b01618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Stimuli-responsive soft materials are a highly studied field due to their wide-ranging applications; however, only a small group of these materials display hysteretic responses to stimuli. Moreover, previous reports of this behavior have typically shown it to be short-lived. In this work, poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) chains at extremely high grafting densities and confined in nanoscale pores displayed a unique long-lived hysteretic behavior caused by their ability to form a metastable hydrogen bond network. Hydraulic permeability measurements demonstrated that the conformation of the PAA chains exhibited a hysteretic dependence on pH, where different effective pore diameters arose in a pH range of 3 to 8, as determined by the pH of the previous environment. Further studies using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy demonstrated that the fraction of ionized PAA moieties depended on the thin film history; this was corroborated by metal adsorption capacity, which demonstrated the same pH dependence. This hysteresis was shown to be persistent, enduring for days, in a manner unlike most other systems. The hypothesis that hydrogen bonding among PAA units contributed to the hysteretic behavior was supported by experiments with a urea solution, which disrupted the metastable hydrogen bonded state of PAA toward its ionized state. The ability of PAA to hydrogen bond within these confined pores results in a stable and tunable hysteresis not previously observed in homopolymer materials. An enhanced understanding of the polymer chemistry and physics governing this hysteresis gives insight into the design and manipulation of next-generation sensors and gating materials in nanoscale applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob L Weidman
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame , Notre Dame, Indiana 46556-5637, United States
| | - Ryan A Mulvenna
- School of Chemical Engineering, Purdue University , West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Bryan W Boudouris
- School of Chemical Engineering, Purdue University , West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - William A Phillip
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame , Notre Dame, Indiana 46556-5637, United States
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41
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Clodt JI, Bajer B, Buhr K, Hahn J, Filiz V, Abetz V. Performance study of isoporous membranes with tailored pore sizes. J Memb Sci 2015. [DOI: 10.1016/j.memsci.2015.07.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
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42
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Oh J, Seo M. Photoinitiated Polymerization-Induced Microphase Separation for the Preparation of Nanoporous Polymer Films. ACS Macro Lett 2015; 4:1244-1248. [PMID: 35614821 DOI: 10.1021/acsmacrolett.5b00734] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
We report on the use of photoinitiated reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization for the facile fabrication of cross-linked nanoporous polymer films with three-dimensionally (3D) continuous pore structure. The photoinitiated polymerization of isobornyl acrylate (IBA) in the presence of 2-(dodecylthiocarbonothioylthio)-2-methylpropionic acid (CTA) and 2,2-dimethoxy-2-phenylacetophenone as a photoinitiator proceeded in a controlled manner, yet more rapidly compared to thermally initiated polymerization. When polylactide-macroCTA (PLA-CTA) was used, PLA-b-PIBA with high molar mass was obtained after several minutes of irradiation at room temperature. We confirmed that microphase separation occurs in the PLA-b-PIBA and that nanoporous PIBA can be derived from the PLA-b-PIBA precursor by selective PLA etching. To fabricate the cross-linked nanoporous polymer, IBA was copolymerized with ethylene glycol diacrylate (EGDA) in the presence of PLA-CTA to produce a cross-linked block polymer precursor consisting of bicontinuous PLA and P(IBA-co-EGDA) microdomains, via polymerization-induced microphase separation. We demonstrated that nanoporous P(IBA-co-EGDA) monoliths and films with 3D continuous pores can be readily obtained via this approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaehoon Oh
- Graduate
School of Nanoscience
and Technology, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
| | - Myungeun Seo
- Graduate
School of Nanoscience
and Technology, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
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43
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Weidman JL, Mulvenna RA, Boudouris BW, Phillip WA. Nanostructured Membranes from Triblock Polymer Precursors as High Capacity Copper Adsorbents. LANGMUIR : THE ACS JOURNAL OF SURFACES AND COLLOIDS 2015; 31:11113-23. [PMID: 26391625 DOI: 10.1021/acs.langmuir.5b01605] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Membrane adsorbers are a proposed alternative to packed beds for chromatographic separations. To date, membrane adsorbers have suffered from low binding capacities and/or complex processing methodologies. In this work, a polyisoprene-b-polystyrene-b-poly(N,N-dimethylacrylamide) (PI-PS-PDMA) triblock polymer is cast into an asymmetric membrane that possesses a high density of nanopores (d ∼ 38 nm) at the upper surface of the membrane. Exposing the membrane to a 6 M aqueous hydrochloric acid solution converts the PDMA brushes that line the pore walls to poly(acrylic acid) (PAA) brushes, which are capable of binding metal ions (e.g., copper ions). Using mass transport tests and static binding experiments, the saturation capacity of the PI-PS-PAA membrane was determined to be 4.1 ± 0.3 mmol Cu(2+) g(-1). This experimental value is consistent with the theoretical binding capacity of the membranes, which is based on the initial PDMA content of the triblock polymer precursor and assumes a 1:1 stoichiometry for the binding interaction. The uniformly sized nanoscale pores provide a short diffusion length to the binding sites, resulting in a sharp breakthrough curve. Furthermore, the membrane is selective for copper ions over nickel ions, which permeate through the membrane over 10 times more rapidly than copper during the loading stage. This selectivity is present despite the fact that the sizes of these two ions are nearly identical and speaks to the chemical selectivity of the triblock polymer-based membrane. Furthermore, addition of a pH 1 solution releases the bound copper rapidly, allowing the membrane to be regenerated and reused with a negligible loss in binding capacity. Because of the high binding capacities, facile processing method implemented, and ability to tailor further the polymer brushes lining the pore walls using straightforward coupling reactions, these membrane adsorbers based on block polymer precursors have potential as a separation media that can be designed to a variety of specific applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob L Weidman
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame , Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
| | - Ryan A Mulvenna
- School of Chemical Engineering, Purdue University , West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - Bryan W Boudouris
- School of Chemical Engineering, Purdue University , West Lafayette, Indiana 47907, United States
| | - William A Phillip
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame , Notre Dame, Indiana 46556, United States
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44
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Hahn J, Clodt JI, Abetz C, Filiz V, Abetz V. Thin Isoporous Block Copolymer Membranes: It Is All about the Process. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2015; 7:21130-21137. [PMID: 26349610 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.5b04658] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
The combination of the self-assembly of amphiphilic block copolymers and the nonsolvent induced phase inversion process offers an efficient way to isoporous integral-asymmetric membranes. In this context we report fast, easily upscalable and material reducing ways to thin self-assembled membranes. Therefore, we succeeded to implement a spray or dip coating step into the membrane formation process of different diblock copolymers like polystyrene-block-poly(4-vinylpyridine), poly(α-methylstyrene)-bock-poly(4-vinylpyridine), and polystyrene-block-poly(iso-propylglycidyl methacrylate). The formation of hexagonal pore structures was possible using a highly diluted one solvent system allowing the reduction of diblock copolymer consumption and therefore the production costs are minimized compared to conventional blade casting approaches. The broad applicability of the process was proven by using different flat and hollow fiber support materials. Furthermore, the membranes made by this new method showed a more than 6-fold increase in water flux compared to conventional polystyrene-block-poly(4-vinylpyridine) membranes with similar pore sizes prepared by blade casting. The membranes could be proven to be stable at transmembrane pressures of 2 bar and showed a pH responsive flux behavior over several cycles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janina Hahn
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht, Institute of Polymer Research , Max-Planck-Strasse 1, 21502 Geesthacht, Germany
| | - Juliana I Clodt
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht, Institute of Polymer Research , Max-Planck-Strasse 1, 21502 Geesthacht, Germany
| | - Clarissa Abetz
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht, Institute of Polymer Research , Max-Planck-Strasse 1, 21502 Geesthacht, Germany
| | - Volkan Filiz
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht, Institute of Polymer Research , Max-Planck-Strasse 1, 21502 Geesthacht, Germany
| | - Volker Abetz
- Helmholtz-Zentrum Geesthacht, Institute of Polymer Research , Max-Planck-Strasse 1, 21502 Geesthacht, Germany
- University of Hamburg, Institute of Physical Chemistry , Grindelallee 117, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
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45
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Qu S, Dilenschneider T, Phillip WA. Preparation of Chemically-Tailored Copolymer Membranes with Tunable Ion Transport Properties. ACS APPLIED MATERIALS & INTERFACES 2015; 7:19746-19754. [PMID: 26287654 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.5b05592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
Membranes derived from copolymer materials are a promising platform due to their straightforward fabrication and small yet tunable pore structures. However, most current applications of these membranes are limited to the size-selective filtration of solutes. In this study, to advance the utility of copolymer membranes beyond size-selective filtrations, a poly(acrylonitrile-r-oligo(ethylene glycol) methyl ether methacrylate-r-glycidyl methacrylate) (P(AN-r-OEGMA-r-GMA)) copolymer is used to fabricate membranes that can be chemically modified via straightforward schemes. The P(AN-r-OEGMA-r-GMA) copolymer is cast into asymmetric membranes using a nonsolvent induced phase separation technique. Then, the surface charge of the membrane is modified to tailor its performance for nanofiltration applications. The oxirane groups of the glycidyl methacrylate (GMA) moiety that line the pore walls of the membrane allows for both positively charged and negatively charged moieties to be introduced directly without any prior activation. Notably, the highly size-selective nanostructure of the copolymer materials is retained throughout the functionalization processes. Specifically, amine moieties are attached to the pore walls using the aminolysis of the oxirane groups. The resulting amine-functionalized membrane is positively charged and rejects up to 87% of the salt dissolved in a 10 mM magnesium chloride feed solution. Further modification of the amine-functionalized membrane with 4-sulfophenyl isothiocyanate results in pore walls lined by sulfonic acid moieties. These negatively charged membranes reject up to 90% of a 10 mM sodium sulfate feed solution. Throughout the modification scheme, the membrane permeability remains equal to 1.5 L m(-2) h(-1) bar(-1) and the rejection of neutral solutes (i.e., sucrose and poly(ethylene oxide)) is consistent with the membrane having a single well-defined pore diameter of ∼5 nm. The performance of the membrane as a function of ion valence number, solution pH, and ionic strength is investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siyi Qu
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame , Notre Dame, Indiana 46556-5637, United States
| | - Theodore Dilenschneider
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame , Notre Dame, Indiana 46556-5637, United States
| | - William A Phillip
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Notre Dame , Notre Dame, Indiana 46556-5637, United States
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