(177x) Nanoporous Membranes from Crosslinked Amphiphilic Block Copolymer Self-Assembly

Lyotropic liquid crystals (LLCs) are created through the self-assembly of amphiphilic block copolymers in a selective solvent(s), forming a mesostructure with a domain size in nanosize range. The structure of these LLCs depends on the micelle shape, leading to various structures, such as hexagonal, lamellar, and cubic mesophases. LLCs can serve as templates and their polymerization can result in membranes useful in separation processes. In this study, self-assembly of Pluronic F127 in ethylammonium nitrate as a solvent is investigated. This study shows formation of body centered and face centered cubic phases by varying small amount of excess water in the formulation. Membranes made by UV crosslinking of LLC templates show pore size of about 18 nm. Membranes made with this method offer narrow pore size distribution and a hydrophilic surface that resists fouling.