Selective Swelling Induced Pore Modification in Thin Films of Block Copolymer Active Water Purification Membranes

ORAL

Abstract

The self-assembling characteristics of block copolymers (BCPs) provide a promising pathway in developing ultrafiltration membranes with continuous nanoporous channels. Such uniquely defined morphologies can be further tuned by selectively partitioning an active species into the pore-forming domain of BCP. In this report, we present an asymmetric etch-generated membrane possessing a high density of pores when cast using a poly(styrene)-b-poly(4-vinlypyridine) (PS-b-P4VP) BCP. The porous structure in the ~120 nm thick selective BCP film has been optimized for a less tortuous path by controlling the choice of solvent mixtures and later placed on polyethersulfone support layer. This membrane assembly exhibits water flowrates above 1000 Lm-2h-1bar-1 while maintaining the uniform distribution of nanopores. Furthermore, the pores in the membrane have been altered by adding homopolymer and solvent blends and later using quaternization process. The effect on pore properties with increasing etching time and blend concentrations has been studied using Atomic Force Microscopy which showed an increasing trend from 30-70 nm in pore diameter. These results indicate related enhancement of properties for high-performance membranes.

*Funding: NPRP grant 10-0127-170269 of QNRF, NSF grant DMR-1905996

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Presenters

  • Khadar B Shaik

    • William A. Brookshire Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA

Authors

  • Khadar B Shaik

    • William A. Brookshire Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA

  • Ali Ammar

    • William A. Brookshire Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA
    • Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA

  • Kshitij Sharma

    • William A. Brookshire Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA

  • Diana Cousins

    • William A. Brookshire Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA

  • Maninderjeet Singh

    • University of Houston
    • William A. Brookshire Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA

  • Deepalekshmi Ponnamma

    • Center for Advanced Materials, Qatar University, PO Box 2713, Doha, Qatar

  • Mohammad K Hassan

    • Center for Advanced Materials, Qatar University, PO Box 2713, Doha, Qatar

  • Samer Adham

    • ConocoPhilips Global Water Sustainability Center, Qatar Science and Technology Park, Doha, Qatar

  • Mariam S Al Ali Al-Maadeed

    • Center for Advanced Materials, Qatar University, PO Box 2713, Doha, Qatar

  • Anil K Bhowmick

    • William A. Brookshire Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA

  • Alamgir Karim

    • University of Houston
    • William A. Brookshire Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA
    • Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204, USA