LIQUID-CRYSTALS IN POLYMER MEMBRANES

The search of new types of polymer membranes having definite properties for application in various branchs of technology, engineering, medicine, pharmacology is an important problem now. New membranes on the basis of liquid crystals in a polymer matrix for the thermoregulated selective transport of separated components (gases, liquids, ions) are reviewed here. In compositional membranes containing low-molecular liquid crystals in a polymer matrix the diffusion of extracted components proceeds in the continuous LC phase, while the selectivity depends either on the structural orientation of the LC phase under the action of external fields or on the modification of a membrane with mobile transfer agents. The solid selective membranes obtained from LC polymers and having the structure of the LC phase are described. Promise of LC membranes of various types is evaluated.