Ferrocene-Modified Block Copolymers for the Preparation of Smart Porous Membranes

Polymers

Sebastian Schöttner¹  Christian Rüttiger¹  Rimjhim Hossain¹  Markus Gallei¹ 

[1] Ernst-Berl Institute for Chemical Engineering and Macromolecular Science, Technische Universität Darmstadt, Alarich-Weiss-Str. 4, D-64287 Darmstadt, Germany;

关键词: block copolymers;    metallopolymers;    self-assembly;    postmodification;    membranes;    stimuli-responsive polymers;    phase inversion;   

DOI  :  10.3390/polym9100491

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

The design of artificially generated channels featuring distinct remote-switchable functionalities is of critical importance for separation, transport control, and water filtration applications. Here, we focus on the preparation of block copolymers (BCPs) consisting of polystyrene-block-poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PS-b-PHEMA) having molar masses in the range of 91 to 124 kg mol−1 with a PHEMA content of 13 to 21 mol %. The BCPs can be conveniently functionalized with redox-active ferrocene moieties by a postmodification protocol for the hydrophilic PHEMA segments. Up to 66 mol % of the hydroxyl functionalities can be efficiently modified with the reversibly redox-responsive units. For the first time, the ferrocene-containing BCPs are shown to form nanoporous integral asymmetric membranes by self-assembly and application of the non-solvent-induced phase separation (SNIPS) process. Open porous structures are evidenced by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and water flux measurements, while efficient redox-switching capabilities are investigated after chemical oxidation of the ferrocene moieties. As a result, the porous membranes reveal a tremendously increased polarity after oxidation as reflected by contact angle measurements. Additionally, the initial water flux of the ferrocene-containing membranes decreased after oxidizing the ferrocene moieties because of oxidation-induced pore swelling of the membrane.

【 授权许可】

Unknown