Nanoporous materials from ABAC tetrablock terpolymers

Abstract

This dissertation describes efforts towards the preparation of tough nanoporous membranes from ABAC tetrablock terpolymers. This architecture was strategically chosen to combine an etchable C block, PLA, with a mechanically tough ABA triblock into one ABAC terpolymer. Multiple series of poly(styrene-b-isoprene-bstyrene-lactide) (PS-PI-PS-PLA) tetrablock terpolymers were synthesized. Morphological behavior was characterized for terpolymers containing both a 50:50 and 30:70 PS:PI ratio with between 0 and ~20% PLA by volume. Observed bulk morphologies include hexagonally packed cylinders (HEX), core(PLA)-shell(PS) cylinders (CSC), and a PLA sphere in cylinder morphology. Mechanical properties of PS-PEEP-PS-PLA tetrablocks were also investigated. All materials exhibited mechanical properties characteristic of tough thermoplastic elastomers. Composite membranes were prepared from a thin film of PS-PI-PS-PLA terpolymer and a macroporous polyethersulfone support. Described within are the efforts related to the fabrication and filtration performance of these nanoporous PSPI-PS composite membranes. As part of this process, solvent casting and annealing conditions were varied to investigate effects on tetrablock thin film morphology. Optimum conditions were determined to achieve PS-PI-PS-PLA films with perpendicular PLA cylinder orientation. These conditions included use of a mixed solvent system and the addition of a small amount of homopolymer PLA. Highly ordered films with vertically oriented nanopores were obtained.