The increasing trend of urbanisation has shifted reliance away from natural production of freshwater to man-made processes. Alternative methods of freshwater production are marred by costly processes specific to the type of feedwater (salt water, ground water). Importance is placed on ultrafiltration membranes to reduce the number of chemical engineering processes required in a setting with various types of feedwater. Ultrafiltration membranes consist of nanopores that selectively screen particulates like bacteria and viruses while producing drinkable water. Formulations of ultrafiltration membranes primarily stem from the mixing of synthetic polymers to obtain optimal pore size dimensions and durability. Structural incompatibilities between polymers causes resistance in complete mixing thereby creating a partially miscible mixture. Determinations meaningful to optimize functionality require tools able to determine structural features and miscibility. Current tools commonly found within industrial facilities are limited, FTIR and Raman spectroscopy are considered ill-suited as a low depth penetration only allows for surface composition determinations. This project aims to develop solid state NMR spectroscopy as a bulk analysis tool for meaningful determinations of miscibility of polymers used in membranes. Miscibility determinations are conducted through 2 Dimensional WIdeline SEparation (2D WISE) which correlates a <sup>1</sup>H spectrum with a <sup>13</sup>C Cross polarisation spectrum. Optimal miscibility (refer to figure 1) is inferred through similar molecular mobility along all molecular structures. Membrane characterisation through XRD, and DSC can be coupled with solid-state NMR as a basis for the optimisation of ultrafiltration membrane synthesis.

Miscibility analysis of polymer based ultrafiltration membranes through two dimensional WIdeline SEparation solid state NMR spectroscopy

255th National Meeting (2018)

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