Quaternary phase-field simulation of the effect of additives on the structure of polyvinylidene fluoride microporous membranes

This study builds upon the existing phase-field model of the non-solvent-induced phase separation (NIPS) method, simulating factors that influence membrane formation in a ternary system. A polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) membrane system is utilized, and a fourth substance, an additive, is introduced based on the original mathematical model of the ternary system. The interaction parameters of the additives within the system are calculated using the Krevelen method. The simulation is configured to set the values of additive mobility and loss coefficients of the concentration gradient, thereby simulating the effect of additives in the quaternary system on the evolution of the micropore membrane structure. Finally, simulated images of different concentrations of additives with various types are compared with experimental results of microporous structure and porosity formation. This comparison serves to validate the model.