Homogeneous hydrogels normally have high resistance against hydraulic water permeation, in comparison to commercial porous membranes such as ultrafiltration (UF) membranes.  In this study, we show that high water permeation rate in poly (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (p-HEMA) hydrogel membranes can be achieved.  With addition of only 10 %wt water in the HEMA monomer/crosslinker precursors prior to the photopolymerization, the as-polymerized hydrogel membranes appeared to have similar DI water permeance compared with commercial UF membranes.  We systematically examine the influence of water/HEMA/crosslinker composition on the hydrogel membranes’ permselective properties, as well as their structural and mechanical properties.  Furthermore, we explore the use of interfacial polymerization process to form polyamide (PA) barrier layer atop the hydrogel membranes to potentially achieve desalination capabilities.   <br/>

Fabrication and characterization of poly (2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)-based hydrogel membranes

255th National Meeting (2018)

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