Asymmetric membranes by wet phase inversion of phenylated polyphenylene

• Published in: Journal of applied polymer science 2013-04, Vol.128 (1), p.750-753
• Main Authors: Guo, Congran, Budy, Stephen M., Loy, Douglas A.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Applied sciences; asymmetric membrane; Asymmetry; Cyclohexanone; Diels-Alder polymerization; Exact sciences and technology; Exchange resins and membranes; Forms of application and semi-finished materials; Materials science; Membranes; morphology; Phase inversion; Phase shift; phenylated polyphenylene; Polymer industry, paints, wood; Polymers; Porosity; Reproduction; scanning electron microscopy; Solvents; Technology of polymers; tensile strength
• ISSN: 0021-8995; 1097-4628
• DOI: 10.1002/app.37997

Asymmetric membranes of phenylated polyphenylene were prepared by wet phase inversion. The polyphenylene (Mn = 62 kDa, PD = 2.3) was prepared by Diels–Alder polymerization of 1,4‐bis(tetraphenylcyclopentadienonyl)benzene with 1,4‐diethynylbenzene at 180°C. Solvents and non‐solvents were experimentally identified and solvent : non‐solvent systems were evaluated by the quality of the resulting membranes. Cyclohexanone/n‐butanol (88 : 12) as solvent and n‐butanol as the non‐solvent were found to afford the best asymmetric membranes with minimal defects. Membranes (20–30 µm thick) from coagulating 11.5 wt % polyphenylene from cyclohexanone/n‐butanol in n‐butanol baths exhibited 250–300 nm, non‐porous skins overlaying 20–30 µm of open‐celled, spongiform structure. Due to a relatively high glass transition temperature of 370°C, the phenylated polyphenylene membranes retained their porosity to 200°C higher than polysulfone asymmetric membranes. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J. Appl. Polym. Sci., 2013