Thermo-Responsive Membranes from Blends of PVDF and PNIPAM-b-PVDF Block Copolymers with Linear and Star Architectures
byF. Algarni, V. Musteata, G. Falca, S. Chisca, N. Hadjichristidis, S. P. Nunes
Year:2021DOI:10.1021/acs.macromol.1c01372
Bibliography
Macromolecules 2021
Extra Information
Macromolecules 2021
Abstract
We report the synthesis of poly(n-isopropylacrylamide)-b-poly(vinylidene fluoride), (PNIPAM-b-PVDF),
copolymers with linear and star structures, as well as the
self-assembly and fabrication of thermo-responsive membranes from blends
of these block copolymers and a linear PVDF homopolymer. The synthesis
was achieved by reversible addition–fragmentation chain-transfer
sequential copolymerization using mono- or multifunctional transfer
agents. The self-assembly in bulk and selective solvents was
investigated. The PVDF blocks are crystallizable and hydrophobic and the
PNIPAM thermo-responsive in water. The morphology is dominated by the
breakout crystallization of the PVDF block. Nanoporous membranes were
fabricated by non-solvent-induced phase-separation method. The membranes
revealed a macroscale zig–zag morphology, which is dependent on the
block copolymer architecture. Due to the presence of PNIPAM, these
membranes exhibited thermo-responsive behavior with water permeability
and rejection alternately varying with the operating temperature, which
is reversible in multiple heating–cooling cycles.