Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)-Based Amphiphilic Block Copolymers for High Water Flux Membranes and Ceramic Templates

Abstract

Microphase separation drives the structure formation in block copolymers (BCP), and it is a promising and convenient way for the preparation of well-defined hierarchically structured materials. In this work, we focus on the synthesis of amphiphilic block copolymers, i.e., polystyrene-block-poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PS-b-PHEMA), via sequential anionic polymerization. Molecular weights of the prepared BCPs were in the range of 103–308 kg mol–1 with low polydispersity values (Đ = 1.03–1.25) and a PHEMA content of 17–25 vol % as proven by size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and 1H NMR spectroscopy measurements. For the first time, the PS-b-PHEMA BCPs were subjected to the self-assembly and non-solvent-induced phase separation (SNIPS) process for the generation of integral asymmetric films on tailor-made porous paper substrates. After water immersion, the final BCP membranes reveal an isoporous open structure at the surface featuring adjustable pore diameters of 20–60 nm. It is demonstrated that a hig...