Polymerization-induced microphase separation (PIMS) creates rigid, bicontinuous monoliths with percolating domains that span the thickness of the material. PIMS begins with a macroinitiator dissolved in mono- and di-functional monomer; as the macroinitiator chain extends and begins to microphase separate, the continuous, disordered state is kinetically trapped through crosslinking. Previously, this has been used to create porous materials capable of ultrafiltration by selectively etching away one of the domains. For the first time, we synthesized PIMS monoliths containing polyelectrolyte domains with either fixed positive or fixed negative charges. Using ionic dyes, we demonstrate connectivity between the charged domains and high selectivity for a single polarity charge. Due to the geometric restrictions of the PIMS system, we are able to restrict swelling of the polyelectrolyte to low levels, leading to a remarkably high charge density within the material. The materials are therefore useful in applications including battery separators, ion-exchange resins, and separation membranes.

Using polymerization-induced microphase separation for the synthesis of polyelectrolyte-containing monoliths

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.