There is a strong interest in advanced polymeric membranes driven by large-scale applications, for instance, in water purification or bioseparation. Here we report on our recent work toward simultaneous tuning of pore structure and surface functionality of porous polymeric membranes. Commercial or tailored novel block copolymers accessible by controlled sequential polymerization are used as additives to standard membrane polymers (polyethersulfone and polyvinylidenefluoride) in the well established nonsolvent induced phase separation process. The aim is to employ two distinct functionalities of the block copolymers, the tight entrapment in the membrane matrix by one block, and the decoration of the pore surface with hydrophilic, functional segments by the other block. Improved separation performance of the modified membranes in ultra- and microfiltration is due to better wetting with water or an additional adsorber function, and the membranes are more stable compared to materials prepared with conventional polymeric additives (homo- or random copolymers).

Surface-functionalized porous polymeric membranes

245th National Meeting (2013)

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