Patent ID: 8829062
Filing Date: 2014-09-09
Classification: B01D,B29C,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A method for making a stimuli-responsive (SR) polymer membrane with a two-dimensional array of circular microscopic pores comprising the acts of: preparing a solution composed of a SR polymer with pendant cross-linkable groups and a low-volatile liquid pore-forming additive (porogen); casting of said solution onto a surface of a solid or polymer substrate to obtain a microporous thin film membrane; decreasing solubility of said additive by adding of a small amount of a nonsolvent from vapor; inducing a nonsolvent-induced microphase separation of said additive in said solution followed by drying of said polymer and evaporation of said additive; controlling a pore size of said membrane by varying a vapor pressure of said nonsolvent during said casting process; cross-linking of said SR polymer constituting said membrane to produce a polymer network (SR polymer gel); making a hybrid layer with stimuli-controlled surface wettability using said SR polymer membrane; modifying said membrane's surface by a layer of a hydrophilic component (polymer or surface-functionalized inorganic nanoparticles); immobilizing of a hydrophobic component (polymer or surface-functionalized inorganic nanoparticles) inside said membrane's pores; and modifying said membrane's surface by a layer of a hydrophobic component (polymer or surface-functionalized inorganic nanoparticles); immobilizing a hydrophilic component (polymer or surface-functionalized inorganic nanoparticles) inside said membrane's pores.