Self-assembly in casting solutions of block copolymer membranes

Membranes with exceptional pore regularity and high porosity were obtained from block copolymer solutions. We demonstrate by small-angle X-ray scattering that the order which gives rise to the pore morphology is already incipient in the casting solution. Hexagonal order was confirmed in PS-b-P4VP 17...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Marques, D., Vainio, U., Chaparro, N., Calo, Victor, Bezahd, A., Pitera, J., Peinemann, K., Nunes, S.
Format: Journal Article
Published: RSC Publishing 2013
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/51431
Description
Summary:Membranes with exceptional pore regularity and high porosity were obtained from block copolymer solutions. We demonstrate by small-angle X-ray scattering that the order which gives rise to the pore morphology is already incipient in the casting solution. Hexagonal order was confirmed in PS-b-P4VP 175k-b-65k solutions in DMF/THF/dioxane with concentrations as high as 24 wt%, while lamellar structures were obtained in more concentrated solutions in DMF or DMF/dioxane. The change in order has been understood with the support of dissipative particle dynamic modeling. © 2013 The Royal Society of Chemistry.