Abstract
AbstractThe polyurethane (PU) membranes with temperature and pH double sensitivities for water permeation were designed and prepared from a two‐step solution polymerization from the crystalline polycaprolactone diols (PCL), 4,4′‐diphenylmethane diisocyanate (MDI) and pH‐sensitive 2,2‐dimethylol propionic acid (DMPA), etc. The structure and properties of PU membranes were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry meter, contact angle tester, mechanical tester, porosity tests, water flux tests, water absorption tests, etc. Results showed that all PU membranes had a similar crystalline melting transition in their soft segments. With increasing DMPA content, or −COOH group content, the mechanical property of PU membranes was decreased, but the surface wettability and porosity of PU membranes were increased, which were expected to improve the water flux and water absorption of PU membranes. When the environment temperature was raised above the temperature of crystal‐melting transition (Tm) of the soft segments, the water fluxes across these PU membranes changed markedly, showing the temperature sensitivity. When pH varied around the dissociation constant (pKa) of DMPA contained in PU(2), PU(3) and PU(4) macromolecules, their water fluxes and water absorption were also obviously changed, showing the pH sensitivity. © 2014 Curtin University of Technology and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
