X-ray scattering to understand the self-assembly of tetrablock isoporous membranes

Project Description

This proposal will use small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS) to reveal the mechanism through which tough block copolymers self-assemble in solution and form isoporous membranes via the self-assembled nonsolvent induced phase separation (SNIPS) process. These isoporous membranes, made by SNIPS, are highly permeable and selective, which allow precise separations to be accomplished in an energy-efficient manner. However, the manufacturing process for these membranes is nonequilibrium, and the connection between input variables and final process variables is not well-connected. This proposal will probe how the solution ordering in SNIPS casting conditions changes as a function of the solvent blend, block copolymer size, and the block ratio between the hydrophilic and hydrophobic domains and how in turn that influences the final membrane morphology. SAXS will be used a high-throughput technique to find optimal block ratios, sizes, and solvent blends that yield an isoporous membrane for novel block copolymers. This proposal aims to provide a fundamental understanding on how these variables affect the ordering seen in solution and how that ordering in turn affects the membrane formation process.

Instruments