• Membrane Journal
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.219-225
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• 2008

In this research, polydimethylsiloxane-polymethylmethacrylate (PDMS-PMMA) block copolymer was synthesized from polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) and methylmethacrylate (MMA) monomer using atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP). The synthesis characterization of the PDMS-b-PMMA copolymer membrane was carried out by a FT-IR, $^1H$-NMR, GPC and DSC. The permeabilities of nitrogen and hydrogen gases were observed being $1.2{\sim}l.5$ barrer and $6.2{\sim}10.5$ barrer, respectively. Simultaneously, selectivities of hydrogen against nitrogen were $5.3{\sim}6.9$. The permeability and selectivity of PDMS-b-PMMA copolymer membrane were showed lower than the PDMS membrane, but higher than the PMMA membrane.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.66-74
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• 2000

In consideration that a high tensile strength and ion exchange capacity are maintained as the swelling of membrane is controlled by the coagulation of PSf with the introduction of ion exchange groups and PPSS without the introduction of ion exchange groups, the block copolymer of PSf and PPSS were synthesized. The cation exchange membrane was prepared by sulfonation with CSA and casted. The synthesized block copolymer and cation exchange membrane were characterized by FT-IR and their thermal stability was confirmed by TGA. The optimum sulfonation could be accomplished at a mole ratio of BPSf to CSA 1:3. The best electrochemical properties obtained by the optimal condition were area resistance of 4.37 $\Omega$ㆍ$\textrm{cm}^2$, ion exchange capacity of 1.71 meq/g dry membrane, water content of 0.2941 g $H_2O$/g dry membrane, and fixed ion concentration of 5.81 meq/g $H_2O$. When GBL was used as an additive, area resistance was increased by 13.7 % and ion exchange capacity was increased by 14.6%. When the membrane was fabricated in a form of composite using non woven cloth as a support. the tensile strength of membrane could be improved, but the electrochemical characteristics were not influenced.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.67-74
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• 2002

New immunoprotecting membranes were prepared by spin coating the amphiphilic random multiblock copolymers of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and poly(tetramethylene ether glycol) (PTMEG) or poly(dimethyl siloxane) (PDMS) on porous Durapore(R) membrane. The copolymer coating was intended to make a biocompatible, immunoprotecting diffusional barrier and the supporting porous substrate was for mechanical stability and processability. By filling Durapore(R) membrane pores with water, the penetration of coating solution into the pores was minimized during the spin coating process. A single coating process produced a completely covered thin surface layer (~1 ${\mu}{\textrm}{m}$ in thickness) on the porous substrate membrane. The permselectivity of the coated layer was influenced by PEG block length, polymer composition, and thickness of the coating layer. A composite membrane with the coating layer prepared with PEG 2 K/PTMEG 2 K block copolymer showed that its molecular weight cut-of fat any 40 based on dextran was close to the molecular size of IgG (Mw = 150 kDa). However, IgG permeation was detected from protein permeation test, while glucose oxidase (Mw = 186 kDa) was not permeable through the coated membrane.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.55-61
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• 2010

A diblock copolymer of polystyrene-b-poly(oxyethylene methacrylate) (PS-b-POEM) was synthesized via atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP), as revealed by FT-IR spectroscopy. The self-assembled block copolymer membrane was prepared and used to template the growth of silver nanoparticles in the solid state by the introduction of $AgCF_3SO_3$ precursor and UV irradiation process. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and UV-visible spectroscopy confirmed the in situ formation of silver nanoparticles within the block copolymer membranes, and the size of nanoparticles were controlled by adjusting the moiety of hydrophilic POEM domains. PS-b-POEM block copolymer with a lower POEM content was effective in generating smaller size of metal nanoparticles.

• Journal of Hydrogen and New Energy
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.465-470
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• 2017

Sulfonated fluorinated block copolymers having diphenyl units were mixed with the sulfonated cationic conductive polymers at an optimum mixing ratio to form hybrid membranes for fuel cells and their characteristics were studied. 2D and 3D AFM topology analysis confirmed that the number of hydrophilic units in the hybrid membrane was improved. Through the FE-SEM, the microstructure of the hybrid membrane implied hydrogen bonding and pi-pi interactions, and EDAX confirmed carbon, oxygen, sulfur, and fluorine. The thermogravimetric analysis showed that the hybrid membrane was thermally stable and the hydrophilicity of the hybrid membrane was increased by the contact angle of water droplets. As a result, it was confirmed that the cation conductivity increased by a factor of 1.8 times as the number of acidic domains in the hybrid film increased.

• Membrane Journal
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• v.29 no.5
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• pp.252-262
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• 2019

A sulfonated star branched poly(styrene-b-butadiene-b-styrene) triblock copolymer (SSBS) was synthesized with varying degrees of sulfonation. The effective sulfonation on the butadiene block was confirmed by FT-IR spectroscopy. Ion exchange capacity by titration was used to determine the degree of sulfonation. The synthesized polymer observed enhanced water uptake and proton conductivity. At room temperature, the SSBS with 25 mol% degree of sulfonation showed an outstanding proton conductivity of 0.114 S/cm, similar to that of commercial membrane, Nafion. The effect of temperature at constant relative humidity on conductivity resulted to a remarkable increase in proton conductivity. Methanol permeability studies showed a value lower than Nafion for all the sulfonated membranes. Structural nature observed using AFM showed that the membranes observed microphase separated nanostructures and the connectivity of the interionic channels.

• Proceedings of the Membrane Society of Korea Conference
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• 1999.10b
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• pp.49-51
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• 1999

• Membrane Journal
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2019

Poly(ether block amide) (PEBA) is one of the commercially important class of block copolymer very much suitable specifically for $CO_2$ separation. Gas separation membrane need to have good mechanical strength as well as high gas permeability. The crystalline polyamide (PA) block provides the mechanical strength while the rubbery polyether (PE) group being $CO_2$-philic facilitate $CO_2$ permeation though the membrane. Composition of thermoplastic and rubbery phase in the polymer are changed to fit into suitable gas separation application. Although PEBA has good permeability, the selectivity of the membrane can be enhanced by incorporating molecular sieve without affection much the gas permeability. Mixed matrix membrane (MMM), a class of composite membrane combine the advantage of polymer matrix with the inorganic fillers. However, there are some disadvantages based on the compatibility of the inorganic fillers and polymeric phase. This review covers both the advantage and limitations of PEBA block copolymer based composite membrane.

• Korean Chemical Engineering Research
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.214-219
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• 2017

In this work, we fabricated PS-b-P4VP block copolymer membranes from self-assembly and non-solvent induced phase separation (SNIPS), which combines the block copolymer self-assembly and conventional NIPS process. While previous studies mostly focused on the fabrication of well-defined structures, we systematically examined various processing parameters such as polymer concentration, solvent evaporation duration, solvent composition, and humidity, to optimized the membrane structures. As a result, the morphology of PS-b-P4VP membranes was optimized at a certain polymer concentration in solution and composition of volatile solvent at low humidity conditions, resulting in SNIPS separation membranes with well-defined nanopores on the surface, 75% of membrane porosity, and 18% of surface porosity.

• Macromolecular Research
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.587-594
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• 2007

Well defined amphiphilic diblock copolymers of poly(styrene-b-vinylbenzylphosphonic acid) (PS-b-PVBPA) were prepared by controlled radical polymerization technique, two-step hydrolysis reactions using trime-thylsilyl bromide from the corresponding phosphonic ethyl ester. By indirect, backward pH titration of the block copolymer, a good titration curve of a dibasic acid was observed. The IEC values obtained from both backward pH titration and volumetric back titration were almost identical. Thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA) of the phosphonic acid containing block copolymer showed a high thermal stability up to $400^{\circ}C$.